The concept of Watford completing a League double over Arsenal, was almost as bizarre as the idea of Watford ever playing them on a league basis.

"In your dreams mate," would have been the reply, had anyone, in the previous 62 years of the club's League history, contemplated such an idea.

But dreams did come true and it happened to you and me and not only did Watford meet the Gunners in a First Division fixture, they beat them into the bargain. There was no doubt about the emphatic manner in which Watford won at Highbury but they were a little fortunate to complete the double the following April.

Arsenal unlucky? Did I feel sorry for them? In your dreams mate.

From The Watford Observer, May 6 1983

Watford 2 (Barnes 64, Blissett 75 (pen) Arsenal 1 (McDermott 46)

Watford: Sherwood, Rice, Sims, Bolton, Rostron, Taylor, Jackett, Callaghan, Blissett, Barnes, Jobson. Substitute: Johnson did not play.

Arsenal: Jennings, Kay, Sansom, Whyte, O'Leary, Nicholas, Talbot, Davis, McDermott, Hawley, Hill. Substitute: Petrovic for Hawley after 72 minutes.

WATFORD supporters made mental notes to check their passports after Saturday's energy sapping epic at Vicarage Road as European soccer became almost a reality for the Hornets.

But while football traditionally labels the Gunners as "lucky Arsenal" no fair-minded Watford fans would endorse that view after witnessing both legs of a memorable double over the North London side.

Matches against Arsenal are not supposed to be entertaining but no one could complain at the value for money provided in the two games with Terry Neill's men. Yet, in a drab and dreary first half when the Gunners looked the better team, entertainment was at a premium. That it finished in such classic style was a credit to Watford who have had the appearance of staggering towards the ferry and airport terminals over the past few weeks. It was indeed a triumph of will and Graham Taylor was quick to acknowledge that, after the win.

"I can't speak too highly of the players at this stage. You can talk about skill and touch but these players are giving it everything they have. If you try your hardest in any walk of life you deserve to succeed. This victory, in a way, typifies the way they have approached the whole season."

It has become established over the years that Taylor is extremely capable at pulling the fat out of the fire at half time. After the most disappointing of opening 45 minute displays one regards the likelihood of a Taylor-inspired second half improvement as almost customary.

But those anticipating such a phenomena on Saturday, had their hopes hit before the second half was a minute old. Brian McDermott broke through past a half-hearted challenge by Ian Bolton, who appeared to be undecided as to whether to handle the ball or tackle, and slotted the ball past Steve Sherwood.

Having looked second best in the first half, Watford could not complain at Arsenal's lead. But with the possibility of Europe teetering on a knife edge, the Hornets forged back in typical style. They just gave it all they had.

Even then, as Terry Neill was later to contend, Arsenal created the better chances while Watford found it hard to progress through a crowded midfield and with only one recognised winger, struggling on the flanks. "There was hardly an inch to spare out there", said Taylor later.

The Arsenal manager, whose team had been decimated by injuries, felt the difference between the two sides was Steve Sherwood - a view which possibly sold Pat Jennings short. Jennings, making his 700th appearance, graced the ground where his League career began 20 years ago, with two or three good saves.

But Neill had a point, Sherwood's form this season has been good but spates of indecision have blighted performances and each meeting with Arsenal has brought about a return to better things.

"Playing against Arsenal appears to be good for me", admitted Sherwood. "There have been a couple of sloppy moments and two goals - one against County and the other against Forest were ones I was not happy with."

Recalling the days immediately after the departure of Jennings to Spurs, back in 1964, it was said of his replacement: "He makes saves but doesn't stop goals."

The same could be said of Sherwood's more recent performances but on Saturday he pulled off two saves beyond the normal call of duty to stop what appeared to be certain Arsenal goals.

Watford found Arsenal's smothering formation a problem from the outset. Arsenal moved with greater fluency but against a more cautious side than the Hornets, it is doubtful whether their formation would do anything else apart from rivalling Mogadon for sleep-inducing qualities.

John Hawley fired the first salvo of the afternoon, turning to put in a shot, which was deflected. At the other end, Jennings had two bites at gathering a good, early, low cross from Barnes. But with Pat Rice having problems for pace and Richard Jobson looking as if he was still haunted by the miss at Old Trafford, Watford were unable to assert themselves on either flank at this stage.

Paul Davis headed wide from John Kay's cross and it was not until the 19th minute that Watford carved their first real breakthrough - Barnes spooning the ball wide from Blissett's cross.

Jobson headed well wide a couple of minutes later from Barnes' free kick - a good chance this and Watford began to look a better proposition as the interval approached. Blissett and Jackett combined superbly for Barnes to send in a half-blocked shot and later Blissett went close with a cross-shot that had Arsenal conceding one of several unimpressive corners. The half closed with Samson and Hill coming close to conceding an own goal.

But a matter of seconds into the second half the impressive Talbot found McDermott with a great pass and with Bolton left adrift, the striker went through to open the scoring.

That the game needed a goal, could not be denied, but one expected Arsenal, having nosed in front, would suffocate Watford's hoped-for revival. McDermott in fact came close to burying the Hornets, but Sherwood made a good save to deny the Arsenal man's header.

Jennings then excelled to thwart Blissett after the improving Jobson on the left had headed back Barnes' cross. Blissett nodded goalwards but Jennings was his match.

Bolton, demonstrating his determination to make amends with a forceful run, produced a ferocious 25-yard shot, which Jennings caught as if it were mere routine. Minutes later, Jobson sent in a shot wthat hit the goalkeeper's legs and bounced over the bar and one wondered if it was to be one of those days. The equaliser came from the unexpected source. Callaghan sent an inswinging corner deep into the six-yard box, by-passing the phalanx of figures at the near post, and Barnes, making two attempts finally beat Jennings from close in. After an indifferent spell with corners, Watford had profited from a flag-kick.

Arsenal came back and a massive scramble ensued with Sherwood blocking Davis's shot and Taylor finally relieved the pressure with a magnificent dummy.

Rostron had a shot deflected wide and Talbot, after eluding Taylor, went close before Watford went ahead with Blissett's 27th goal of the season.

Jackett clipped a fine ball through to the striker who brought it down on the turn and took it past O'Leary with one deft movement, which belied his frequent inconsistency with his first touch.

O'Leary brought Blissett down - "a definite penalty", said Neill later - and the striker then went on to send Jennings the wrong way as he converted his sixth penalty of the campaign.

There remained 15 minutes of nerve-racking football during which Watford held this tenuous lead. Incredibly Sherwood managed to shovel a Petrovic shot onto the post and claim the rebound and his spreading legs denied Samson as equaliser.

The referee, who was none too impressive, blew early and from the way Watford's fans left, drained but elated, it was probably not early enough.

January 21, 2002 17:30