Hornets secure vital away points

Watford produced a superb comeback to defeat fellow relegation battlers Charlton Athletic 3-2 at The Valley.

The victory saw Watford go five points clear of the relegation zone, whilst the Addicks remain firmly rooted to the foot of the table.  

Don Cowie gave Watford the lead after quarter of an hour, however two goals from Tresor Kandol cancelled out the early goal to give Charlton the lead at half-time. In the second half Charlton failed to score and Watford netted twice, thanks to Grzegorz Rasiak and Tamas Priskin, to seal a vital three points.

Watford started the game better than their opponents and had plenty of possession.

Charlton however, nearly forced a way through when Lloyd Sam burst past Jon Harley. The former Chelsea player got back to make a superb recovery challenge.

Ex-Golden Boy Matthew Spring then shot wide, whilst up the other end Tommy Smith’s dangerous cross was well dealt with by Charlton skipper Mark Hudson.

Nicky Bailey then went close before a mix up between Scott Loach and Adrian Mariappa almost allowed Deon Burton in.

Watford however, were able to regain their composure and were rewarded with a goal.

It was the lively Priskin who started things off with a flick towards Smith. Intelligently, Smith then cut the ball back for Cowie. After taking a touch to compose himself, Cowie then coolly slotted the ball past Rob Elliot.

Spurred on by Cowie’s goal, Watford pushed on and Jobi McAnuff went inches wide with an attempt from distance.

Charlton though, benefited from another defensive lapse from Watford and drew level.

It was Lloyd Doyley and Mariappa who allowed Kandol to race through on goal, round Scott Loach, and bring the game level.

Sam and Burton both went close before the Addicks went ahead. It was a simple goal and it came from a Spring corner.

Sam rose above a motionless Watford defence to head home.

Tommy Smith then left the field with a worrying injury and Polish striker Rasiak came on to replace him.

The big man almost made an immediate mark as his powerful header was well held by Elliot in the Charlton goal. The last action of the half saw Cowie’s free-kick saved comfortably by Elliot.

The second half started terribly for Watford as Jack Cork was dispossessed and Burton was sent through to lob Loach. It was only the officials that stopped the Golden Boys going further behind.

Priskin caused Charlton a few troubles at the back and eventually Watford drew back level.

It was however, a goal out of nothing after an inspired moment from substitute Rasiak which will almost certainly be a goal of the season contender.

McAnuff jinked his way down the left before playing the ball to Rasiak. The big man took one touch, swivelled and hit a rocket of a shot into the top corner of the goal.

McAnuff and Harley were combining well down the left and it nearly paid off as Jon Harley fired into a cluster of bodies where Priskin was unable to turn the ball into the net.

Phil Parkinson tried to change things with the introduction of Svetoslav Todorov; however it was Brendan Rodgers and Watford who were to clinch the points.

Kandol was denied a hat-trick by a gutsy block by Harley, before Priskin evaded the Charlton defence to give Watford the win.

Mike Williamson cleared the ball high up the field where it was collected by Danny Butterfield. Priskin though, robbed the defender and flicked the ball over Elliot to send the players and fans into pandemonium.