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Watford defeated at Home Park

Watford suffered their first loss in three games as Plymouth Argyle edged past the Hornets with a 2-1 victory at Home Park.

Paul Gallagher scored a brace to cancel out Tommy Smith’s second half equaliser. The win sees Plymouth claim a vital three points to go above Watford as the relegation battle rumbles on.

Although the Watford team still played at a high quality, there were various changes made by Brendan Rodgers, allowing key players the chance of a rest.

Jay Demerit was missing through injury meaning Arsenal loanee Gavin Hoyte regaining his place in the starting XI. On the bench sat the likes of Jack Cork, Grzegorz Rasiak, Aleksandra Cauna and the goalscorer himself Tommy Smith. This meant chances for the likes of Ross Jenkins, Lee Williamson, Jon Harley and Will Hoskins.

The Hornets almost took the lead straight away when Hoskins put the ball across for an unmarked Harley. Harley however, could not find the target.

Watford then had a couple of chances snuffed out by the Plymouth defences before Argyle saw their first meaningful chance come back off the woodwork.

Lloyd Doyley missed a header and the ball fell for Ashley Barnes. Barnes coolly spun his marker and saw his 18 yard drive bounce back off the crossbar.

It was Barnes causing trouble again just five minutes later when he headed the ball against the upright from Gallagher’s free-kick.

Plymouth’s domination eventually told as Hoyte brought down Alan Judge inside the area. Gallagher was on hand to put the penalty that followed in the back of the net.

Half-time came and at the start of the second half Rodgers made a significant change as Smith joined the action in place of Hoskins.

Watford were beginning to show signs of their form from recent games as Lee Williamson went close with a free-kick, whilst Tamas Priskin had his shot saved by Roman Larrieu.

It was a case of cometh the hour, cometh the man for Watford as Tommy Smith nicked the ball off of the Plymouth defence and rounded Larrieu to bring the game level.

The goal spurred the Golden Boys on and Watford pressed on in search of a winner. It was however, Plymouth who found the back of the net after breaking quickly. Paul Gallagher made no mistake in netting his second of the night and the winner.

Watford looked for an equaliser and almost got it when Craig Cathcart almost turned the ball into his own net.

Plymouth hung on for the three points though and left Watford with a long journey back to Vicarage Road.

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