Alone at top of the scoring tree (From Watford Observer)

Watford become top scorers outright in Premier League and Football League and continue to close in on two club records

12:41pm Wednesday 20th February 2013 in Watford FC News By Anthony Matthews, Group Sports Editor

Watford were already the Championship’s most potent side and boasted the best away goals tally in the division before last night’s 2-0 win but they are now the top scorers outright in all four senior English divisions.

Saturday’s 4-0 win at Birmingham City moved Gianfranco Zola’s men level with Port Vale on 64 goals but the strikes from Ikechi Anya and Nathaniel Chalobah have moved them two clear of the League Two side on 66.

The victory at Portman Road was the Hornets’ 10th away success of the season, meaning they join Doncaster Rovers, Gillingham and Exeter City as the only teams in the four divisions to have enjoyed a double figure number of successes on their league travels to date. Significantly though, the win and two goals scored mean the Hornets are continuing to close in on two club records.

This is only the seventh time since Watford became a Football League club in 1920 that ten or more away victories have been achieved in a season.

On the four previous occasions the Hornets have recorded more wins on their travels, they have been promoted; three times as champions – from Division Three in 1968/69, Division Four in 1977/78 and Division Two in 1997/98 – and as play-off winners in 2005/06.

Trefor Jones' website, www.watfordfcarchive.com, shows the highest number of Watford away wins in a Football League or Premier League season was 12 in 1977/78, the same campaign as Graham Taylor’s side set a record away goals tally of 41.

But with 38 already netted and six away games still to play, it will be a major surprise if Zola’s men do not set a new landmark.

Even if the highly unlikely happens and Watford do not score another goal on their travels in this campaign, their current tally will still represent their joint third best away total in their 85 seasons since becoming a Football League club.