Ray Lewington is back at Watford as assistant manager, approaching 20 years since he was appointed to the Vicarage Road hotseat.

The former Hornets’ reserve team boss had little scope to deal in the transfer market after taking charge in 2002 as the club struggled with the fall-out from the collapse of ITV Digital and the failed Luca Vialli gamble the season before.

Despite the financial backdrop, Lewington ensured Watford were to remain in the second tier and guided them to two cup semi-finals during his tenure.

Here we look back at nine notable matches from the new assistant manager’s time in charge at Vicarage Road between 2002 and 2005:

Watford 5 Coventry City 2 – August 17, 2002

Watford Observer:

Paul Robinson celebrates his goal

The first notable victory of the Lewington era came on a sunny August bank holiday Monday when the Hornets produced an impressive performance to end Coventry City’s hopes of going top of the early-season Division One table.

Goals from Stephen Glass, Tommy Smith, Danny Webber, Allan Nielsen and Paul Robinson fired the home side into a 5-0 lead before the Sky Blues replied twice late on.

Sheffield United 1 Watford 2 – September 28, 2002

Watford Observer:

Allan Nielsen in action in the return match between the two sides at Vicarage Road

The Hornets travelled to Bramall Lane off the back of a turbulent week in which the majority of the players and high-earning office staff had agreed to a 12 per cent wage deferral to try and save off the threat of administration.

Despite this, the Hornets showed their togetherness to come from behind and claim a memorable win through a Neil Cox penalty and a Heidar Helguson goal a minute later.

Watford 2 Burnley 0 – March 9, 2003

Watford Observer:

Stephen Glass celebrates his free-kick

A packed Vicarage Road celebrated as Watford reached their first FA Cup semi-final since 1987.

A tight contest looked to be heading to a replay until Tommy Smith made the breakthrough with 16 minutes remaining. Stephen Glass then made sure of the Hornets’ passage into the last four with a superb free-kick.

Burnley 4 Watford 7 – April 5, 2003

Watford Observer:

Michael Chopra scored four times at Turf Moor

A week before the FA Cup semi-final, the Hornets met Burnley again and came out on top after an amazing 11-goal encounter at Turf Moor.

The first half was almost ridiculous as the Hornets raced into a 4-1 lead inside 30 minutes, only to find their lead cut to one goal by the interval when they were 5-4 in front.

The second half, by comparison, was rather less nerve shredding for the travelling fans as on-loan striker Michael Chopra scored twice more to secure the points and take his tally in the match to four. Wayne Brown, Micah Hyde and Neil Cox had scored the Hornets’ first three goals.

Watford 1 Southampton 2 – April 13, 2003

Watford Observer:

The Watford fans at Villa Park

Watford’s bid to reach the FA Cup final for only the second time in their history ended in disappointment as Premiership class told at Villa Park.

The Hornets’ kept their opponents at bay until just before the interval when Brett Ormerod headed Southampton in front.

Paul Robinson then got the final touch to give the Saints daylight, before Marcus Gayle halved the deficit from a corner in the closing stages.

Watford 2 Chelsea 2 – January 3, 2004

Watford Observer:

Heidar Helguson's header was adjudged to have crossed the line after hit the crossbar

Following Roman Abramovic’s takeover the previous summer, big-spending Chelsea almost came unstuck when they visited Vicarage Road for this FA Cup third round tie.

Watford led twice in the first half through a controversial Heidar Helguson header and a Gavin Mahon goal, but the Blues levelled both teams to go in all-square at the interval.

They went on to comfortably win the replay 4-0 11 days later.

Watford 5 Southampton 2 – November 9, 2004

Watford Observer:

James Chambers is congratulated after scoring

One of the great victories of Lewington’s time in charge as the Hornets produced a wonderful team performance to avenge their FA Cup semi-final defeat and reach the last eight of the Carling Cup.

The hosts had chances to take the lead before Bruce Dyer did convert an opportunity six minutes before half-time.

Watford really turned the screw in the second half, scoring through a James Chambers brace, a superb Heidar Helguson volley and, after the visitors had made it 4-1, Hameur Bouazza.

Watford 3 Portsmouth 0 – November 30, 2004

Watford Observer:

Bruce Dyer scoring

Watford reached their second major semi-final in three years as Portsmouth went the same way as their south-coast Premiership neighbours earlier in the month, crashing to a three-goal exit following another memorable night at Vicarage Road.

This time a Heidar Helguson double and another Bruce Dyer goal did the damage to send the Hornets through to the two-legged semi-finals.

Watford 0 Liverpool 1 – January 25, 2005

Watford Observer:

The Vicarage Road faithful had hoped Watford could overcome their first leg deficit 

It was a case of same scorer, same scoreline as Watford’s Carling Cup adventure ran out of fizz amid an electric Vicarage Road atmosphere.

The Hornets ensured they were still in the semi-final after only losing 1-0 in the first leg at Anfield two weeks a fortnight previously, but again Steven Gerrard proved to be the match-winner as Liverpool booked their trip to Cardiff.