Watford Home Won 1 – 0 – We have a No 9
After an all round solid performance at Stoke, it was no surprise to find an unchanged starting XI lined up against a Watford team now in their latest managerial inter regnum. The biggest threat from the visitors in the first half was of our own making, specifically Peretz’s making as he was caught in possession – a hazard goalkeepers of the past never faced. Southampton, though, weren’t looking any more like scoring, other than an effort from Stewart who opted for accuracy with a side-foot shot that wasn’t accurate enough and so well saved by Selvik. An early substitution was needed when Downes seemed to over-stretch himself when chasing back to make an important tackle – a pity as he’s been playing well of late. After the break, Scienza was also guilty of opting for guile rather than force when trying to beat Selvik and he and Stewart became the next to be replaced, on 67 minutes which is a bit later than usual. On came forgotten man Edozie (I didn’t even know he was still at the club) and new man Larin, given the number nine shirt. With two minutes we were ahead thanks a bullet header by Larin from a corner, provoking comparisons with Derek Reeves from those with particularly long teeth. The Canadian is certainly a big unit and that helped in our game management to hold on to the lead he’d given us. Watford’s substitutes seemed to get taller and taller, prompting the introduction of Wood, but the back four defensive tactic has been going well, with just one goal conceded since we reverted to it at the interval four and a half games ago – unfortunately that goal was against our most deadly rivals. Here, the Hornets’ best chance seemed to be falling to one of their tall men, Kjerrumgaard, but Peretz was quick off his line to save the situation and win a match that reminded supporters of both sides that they are no longer in English football’s top tier.
Three LSSC Man of the Match candidates to choose from:
5. Jack Stephens, in charge of a defensive clean sheet.
9. Cyle Larin. Just over half an hour’s total pitch time, but it included the game’s defining moment.
18. Tom Fellows, given the full 90 minutes before making way for Wood in added time.
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