GT Match Day Marred by Injury to Bachmann
01/06/2025 12:18 PM
For our first home game of 2025, I was again the guest of the winner of the Supporters Trust draw for a table in hospitality. On this occasion the kind invitation came from Mike. We met in the West Herts with us both having had easier journeys than usual. He sailed around the M25, and I was on a surprisingly empty train from which very few disembarked at the Junction. I could only think that the Harry Potter Studio must have been closed.
It was a very cold day, so good to have the comfort of the Elton John Suite and a warming lunch. The game was designated as the Graham Taylor matchday, as we approach the eighth anniversary of his passing, and Tommy Mooney was in the lounge to provide his memories of GT. Graham had given him his first professional contract at Aston Villa, where he also released him. When GT returned to manage Watford, Tommy was fearful that he would be released again, but GT reassured him with words of encouragement about how proud he was of the way that he had developed in the game. He described GT as the original Ring Cam as he would know where you went out in the evening and what time you left to go home. He spoke very warmly indeed about the Gaffer and said that he would run through walls for him. Afterwards, Tommy said hello to us, and I thanked him for his lovely words and grabbed a hug and a photo.
As I was in the Upper GT stand, I took the opportunity to seek out my friend, Alice. I first met her on the coaches travelling to away games in the early 2000s when I was home from the US. We would then inevitably bump into each other in the Ladies at away grounds. When I send out my match reports, Alice always sends me a lovely note with her thoughts on the game. I had missed her on my previous visit, so had found out where she sat and headed there for a catch up before kick-off. It was really lovely to see her again. On the way back to the lounge, I bumped into Keith Mercer, which was the icing on the cake.
Team news was that Cleverley had made five changes from the QPR game with the return of Ogbonna and Louza from injury alongside Vata, Andrews and Kayembe replacing Porteous, Ince, Bayo, Larouci and Sissoko. So, the starting line-up was Bachmann; Sierralta, Ogbonna, Pollock; Ngakia, Louza, Chakvetadze, Kayembe, Andrews; Vata, Baah. Former head coach, Chris Wilder, returned as manager of the opposition.
The Former Players Club had brought a contingent of players from the 77-83 period of GT's first reign, so we were in our seats early to hear their recollections. The first two players to speak were Ian Bolton, who had organised it, and Steve Sherwood. Both legends from their time with the club.
As the players came out prior to kick-off, we joined in holding our scarves aloft in tribute to Graham. It was a beautiful sight to see all of the stands bathed in yellow, red and black and pleasing to see some of the travelling Blades joining in.
The match kicked off and we almost fell to a very early goal as Brooks broke forward and crossed for Oné whose header cleared the bar. At the other end Andrews ran around the back of the defence and played a cross that was blocked for a corner. The next chance for the visitors came as a through ball was played to Brooks in space in the box, but Bachmann came out and saved with his legs. The visitors were ahead on 13 minutes as O'Hare played a great ball for Hamer who beat Pollock and found the bottom corner. The Hornets drew level after 20 minutes when Baah played a lovely ball for Andrews who got around the back of the defence and cut the ball back for Ngakia to sweep home his first goal for the Hornets. That appeared to give Jeremy a taste for scoring as, soon after, Chakvetadze played a ball over the top into the box for him, but this time he found the side netting, although the flag was up for offside anyway.
The next chance for the Hornets came as Louza exchanged passes with Chakvetadze before releasing Vata whose shot flew wide of the near post. Watford were nearly architects of their own downfall as Bachmann played a short free kick to Sierralta who returned the ball to the keeper and, with O'Hare bearing down on him, Dan attempted a Cruyff turn. Thankfully the ball bounced off O'Hare and ran just wide of the goal. There was then a delay in the game after Andrews went down without being challenged. It looked really worrying but he was fine after receiving treatment. The next incident came after O'Hare broke into the box and Sierralta did well to shepherd the ball out, but O'Hare took exception to something and there was a bout of handbags that finished with bookings for Louza and Davies. The Hornets threatened again as Chakvetadze broke forward and played the ball out to Andrews, but the return pass was intercepted. There was four minutes of added time at the end of the half and the Hornets had a chance to take a lead into the break after Bachmann launched a long ball for Vata to run on to, but the United keeper, Cooper, was first to the ball. Then the visitors won a free kick after Hamer appeared to have run into Pollock, who was booked for the offence. Hamer took the free kick himself curling it around the wall where Bachmann firmly caught it. So, we went into the break with honours even after a decent half of football.
Mike and I forewent the half time coffee in the lounge to listen to the former players reminiscing about their time at the club and especially the influence of GT. The players in attendance were the aforementioned Ian Bolton and Steve Sherwood, along with Trevor How, Keith Cassells, Alan Mayes, John Ward, Brian Pollard, Keith Mercer, Steve Terry, Ross Jenkins, Neil Price, Paul Franklin, Gary Porter and Nigel Callaghan. Their recollections were accompanied by some interesting footage from the time including an interview with George Best where he stuck up for the style of play that was greatly criticised at the time, even if the fans absolutely loved it. They also showed the pitch invasion at the end of the Wrexham game when we won promotion to the top tier for the first time in our history. I was in the crowd on the pitch and remember hearing a voice behind me saying "Excuse me" and turning to see the lino from the opposite side whose path to the tunnel was blocked by the crowd who had gathered in front of the Directors' box to wait for the players to emerge. It was lovely to listen to the stories from players, which sparked very happy memories of my own. Sadly, due to illness, Luther and Kenny Jackett were absent. Finally, the Taylor family were introduced and there were beaming smiles all around.
The first action of the second half was Chakvetadze breaking forward before exchanging passes with Andrews, but he was tackled before he could fashion a shot. The visitors regained the lead after 53 minutes when the Hornets failed to deal with a quick free kick and Brooks hit a curling shot from just outside the area. Ironically the goal came just as the former players arrived back at their seats in front of us in the Upper GT stand. The visitors made two changes around the hour mark. First Oné made way for Brewster, then Hamer picked up an injury and was replaced by McCallum. The Hornets also made a change with Bayo coming on for Ogbonna. The next chance for the Hornets came after Kayembe picked up a Louza free kick and curled a shot that was caught by Cooper. The Hornets then had a great chance of an equaliser after Baah robbed Burrows and broke forward before crossing for Chakvetadze whose shot was blocked by the legs of Cooper, the ball was played back via Ngakia to Vata whose shot was saved. At the other end a shot from O'Hare was blocked by Bachmann, Kayembe picked up the loose ball and released Chakvetadze who played the ball out for Vata whose shot was saved by Cooper, finally Baah broke into the box, but his shot was easily gathered by the United keeper.
Cleverley made another change at this point bringing Larouci on in place of Ngakia. In the 72nd minute, the photo of GT holding a scarf aloft appeared on the big screen and there was a minute's applause in honour of the great man. The Hornets had a chance to draw level from a corner, but Louza's delivery bounced off Bayo. Then a shot from Baah was blocked and came out to Andrews whose shot appeared to have taken a deflection, but a goal kick was given. The visitors made another substitution bringing Norrington-Davies on in place of Brooks. The next effort for the Hornets came when Andrews exchanged passes with Baah before taking a shot that flew well over the bar. Cleverley made a late double substitution replacing Kayembe and Andrews with Sissoko and Ebosele. There was six minutes of added time, and the Hornets were pushing for an equaliser. A cut back from Baah was cleared. Then there were shouts for a penalty when an innocuous ball into the United box was met by both Norrington-Davies and Robinson, the ball appeared to bounce off the latter's arm, but the referee waved play on. Watford then a great chance to draw level when Larouci crossed for Bayo who headed just wide of the target. Then a cross from Vata was missed by Bayo and cleared by Robinson. From the corner a cross by Chakvetadze was caught. The final action of the game was a powerful shot from McCallum that was blocked by Bachmann who landed awkwardly and was clearly in a lot of pain. He was down being treated for some time and the referee made the sensible decision to blow the final whistle without restarting play.
There wasn't much of a lap of honour as the players crowded around the goal to check on their teammate. When Dan was finally stretchered off, I was quite moved to see the Sheffield United players, who had been celebrating in front of their fans, turn as one to applaud him off the pitch.
It was a much better performance than the last two matches, although we tend to play better against teams who are not sitting deep relying on breaking on the counter. We were maybe unlucky not to take a point from it. Unlike the previous two games, the United goals were both well taken. After the recent defensive frailties, it was good to see Ogbonna back in the team. Not only is he a calming influence in the defence, but he is a talker, organising the players around him, a bit of a rarity in the current squad. The return of Louza strengthened the midfield, but he really must stop getting involved in every altercation going. Ngakia continues to be a positive for the team both in defence and going forward and it was lovely to see him scoring his first goal for the club. Baah was again a menace to the opposition. Long may that continue.
But the highlight of the afternoon was the return of the former players and the tributes to GT and their amazing achievements in the period during which the club rose through the divisions to second place in the top tier. It was amazing to live through those times as a fan and the players that gave us that will always have a special place in my heart.
Sadly, this was overshadowed by the awful injury to Bachmann. For various reasons, I have a very soft spot for the Austrian and it was horrible to see him in so much pain. The latest news is that he has suffered a serious ligament injury and will be out for some time. I can only wish him a speedy and full recovery.
