Geoffrey Mujangi Bia scores during Watford's draw with Brighton and Hove Albion
4:48pm Tuesday 20th November 2012 in Latest Football News
By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor
Bia scores as Watford draw to Brighton
Geoffrey Mujangi Bia scored a 25-yard strike as a Watford XI drew 1-1 with a side from Brighton and Hove Albion this afternoon.
The Hornets, who were led by head coach Gianfranco Zola, named a strong side which included summer signings Cristian Battocchio, Ikechi Anya and Steve Leo Beleck. Carl Dickinson, who has returned from his loan spell at Portsmouth, also started in a back three which included Lee Hodson and Adam Thompson.
Brighton boss - and close friend of Zola - Gus Poyet was at London Colney with his coaching staff and saw his team go behind midway through the half due to Bia's curling shot which, whilst central, was enough to beat the Brighton goalkeeper.
The first half was largely uneventful but the second period was a better spectacle and Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond made two excellent stops shortly after the restart, which also saw Alex Geijo and Connor Smith replace Beleck and Anya.
Brighton did equalise around the hour mark when former Watford striker Will Hoskins smashed a penalty down the middle of the goal after Thompson had been penalised.
Watford then enjoyed the majority of the possession and created the better opportunities.
Geijo had two shots from outside the box go close. Firstly he had an effort saved at the near post and then the Swiss-born striker fired a shot agonisingly wide of the far post.
Dickinson deserved to find the top corner with a lovely effort from 25-yards but the Brighton keeper just tipped over. The left back also headed over from a corner.
Beleck came back on for the final half hour or so, replacing Chris Iwelumo, and had a few attempts. The Udinese loanee headed over from Murray's corner, he had a shot saved and also wasted an opportunity to test the goalkeeper when through one-on-one by opting to cross.
Battocchio shot wide and Geijo hit the bar with a shot from the edge of the area but Watford were unable to find the winner despite their impressive second half showing.
Watford starting XI: Bond; Hodson, Thompson, Dickinson; Bia, Battocchio, McGinn, Murray, Anya; Beleck, Iwelumo. Replacements used: Smith, Geijo.
Brighton: Smith; Akubuine, McGiveron, Calderon, Sampayo; Dicker (Rodgers 45), Harley (March 60), Sparrow (Roberts 45), Lopez, Dobbie (Barker 60), Hoskins (Agdestein 60).
Comments(37)
francowatford
says...
5:20pm Tue 20 Nov 12
scottwfc
says...
5:32pm Tue 20 Nov 12
francowatford wrote:There isn't one, the reserves (or development squad) only play friendlies, which can be arranged at short notice.
where are the fixture list for reserves if you want to go and watch them?
Frank Smith
says...
5:40pm Tue 20 Nov 12
As for the Brighton line-up, these type of games do not have teamsheets as they are usually behind-closed-doors matches. Unfortunately my knowledge of Brighton's squad is not extensive enough to pick out each player individually by looks alone and press officers rarely attend these kind of matches. Just checked the Argus website and they mention Inigo Calderon at centre half and midfielders Gary Dicker, Ryan Harley and Matt Sparrow playing but they don't have the line-up as they weren't there. There isn't a report on Brighton's website either. I also recognised Dobbie and Anton Rodgers. Sorry we couldn't provide you with the line-up.
cliff46
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6:07pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Bringe
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7:24pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Frank Smith wrote:Sorry Frank but aren't sports journalist, those sallow beings in shabby macs and trilby hats that, you know ... ask questions? or has that all gone out the window since the internet thingy?
There isn't a fixture list for Watford Reserves as they are not in a league. They just play games as and when they want to arrange a friendly. Sometimes at very short notice.
As for the Brighton line-up, these type of games do not have teamsheets as they are usually behind-closed-doors matches. Unfortunately my knowledge of Brighton's squad is not extensive enough to pick out each player individually by looks alone and press officers rarely attend these kind of matches. Just checked the Argus website and they mention Inigo Calderon at centre half and midfielders Gary Dicker, Ryan Harley and Matt Sparrow playing but they don't have the line-up as they weren't there. There isn't a report on Brighton's website either. I also recognised Dobbie and Anton Rodgers. Sorry we couldn't provide you with the line-up.
mattymashup
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7:30pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Bringe wrote:That's a really harsh comment when we really had no right to even know about this match. Thanks Frank top bloke for giving me a decent mid week read and answering a few questions regarding Christian b and Jeffrey jumanji b
Frank Smith wrote:Sorry Frank but aren't sports journalist, those sallow beings in shabby macs and trilby hats that, you know ... ask questions? or has that all gone out the window since the internet thingy?
There isn't a fixture list for Watford Reserves as they are not in a league. They just play games as and when they want to arrange a friendly. Sometimes at very short notice.
As for the Brighton line-up, these type of games do not have teamsheets as they are usually behind-closed-doors matches. Unfortunately my knowledge of Brighton's squad is not extensive enough to pick out each player individually by looks alone and press officers rarely attend these kind of matches. Just checked the Argus website and they mention Inigo Calderon at centre half and midfielders Gary Dicker, Ryan Harley and Matt Sparrow playing but they don't have the line-up as they weren't there. There isn't a report on Brighton's website either. I also recognised Dobbie and Anton Rodgers. Sorry we couldn't provide you with the line-up.
Alexander Hilcroft
says...
7:32pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Frank Smith wrote:Who said investigative journalism was dead? "There isn't a report on the Brighton website"... LoL!!!
There isn't a fixture list for Watford Reserves as they are not in a league. They just play games as and when they want to arrange a friendly. Sometimes at very short notice.
As for the Brighton line-up, these type of games do not have teamsheets as they are usually behind-closed-doors matches. Unfortunately my knowledge of Brighton's squad is not extensive enough to pick out each player individually by looks alone and press officers rarely attend these kind of matches. Just checked the Argus website and they mention Inigo Calderon at centre half and midfielders Gary Dicker, Ryan Harley and Matt Sparrow playing but they don't have the line-up as they weren't there. There isn't a report on Brighton's website either. I also recognised Dobbie and Anton Rodgers. Sorry we couldn't provide you with the line-up.
Holly68
says...
7:52pm Tue 20 Nov 12
I wish it were old days and these games played in public as I would of been quite interested in watching.
I've asked if club can put brief highlights on Hornets Player
So Frank #Respect
concernedofBrighton
says...
7:56pm Tue 20 Nov 12
That picture is not even from todays game!
Newsquest is really getting shabby, even The Argus down here is a former shell of itself!
KeithMercer
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8:28pm Tue 20 Nov 12
you know we dont have to slag the wobbly for everything and anything !!
If you dont like the Newspaper or the website then give it a wide berth !!
D.unstable
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8:59pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Alexander Hilcroft
says...
8:59pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Holly68 wrote:Oh come off it! We're not asking him to go round asking who the players are shagging but I don't think its unreasonable for a football correspondent to be able to name who actually played in a match he was sent to report on.
Guys, in Franks defence, he has done well to be allowed into these games, as they like to keep em "quiet", so if he starts interfering and asking questions, he would not be allowed to attend again, so credit to him.
I wish it were old days and these games played in public as I would of been quite interested in watching.
I've asked if club can put brief highlights on Hornets Player
So Frank #Respect
D.unstable
says...
9:06pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Holly68 wrote:I remember often attending the reserve games as a kid, sitting in the old East Stand along with a couple of hundred or so that couldn't get the the away game (think it was free for season ticket holders) They always announced over the PA if the first team had scored away from home. Good old days.
Guys, in Franks defence, he has done well to be allowed into these games, as they like to keep em "quiet", so if he starts interfering and asking questions, he would not be allowed to attend again, so credit to him.
I wish it were old days and these games played in public as I would of been quite interested in watching.
I've asked if club can put brief highlights on Hornets Player
So Frank #Respect
worthing_hornet
says...
10:26pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Holly68
says...
10:29pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Alexander Hilcroft wrote:He probably dIdnt tell you that the club only let him watch through the hedge with a pair of binoculars LOL
Holly68 wrote:Oh come off it! We're not asking him to go round asking who the players are shagging but I don't think its unreasonable for a football correspondent to be able to name who actually played in a match he was sent to report on.
Guys, in Franks defence, he has done well to be allowed into these games, as they like to keep em "quiet", so if he starts interfering and asking questions, he would not be allowed to attend again, so credit to him.
I wish it were old days and these games played in public as I would of been quite interested in watching.
I've asked if club can put brief highlights on Hornets Player
So Frank #Respect
Holly68
says...
10:31pm Tue 20 Nov 12
smeg
says...
10:39pm Tue 20 Nov 12
smeg
says...
10:39pm Tue 20 Nov 12
Bringe
says...
11:35pm Tue 20 Nov 12
smeg wrote:lol, remember to thank B&H for putting it on their website.
Smith (GK); Akubuine, McGiveron, Calderon, Sampayo; Dicker (Rodgers 45), Harley (March 60), Sparrow (Roberts 45), Lopez, Dobbie (Barker 60), Hoskins (Agdestein 60). Subs Not Used: Colquhoun (GK), Jones, Richards, Goodwin. Happy now?
And... considering it's strength this looks like a very good performance from our own B team, even more so as we apparently dominated proceedings.
sceptic
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8:12am Wed 21 Nov 12
mickallen57
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9:12am Wed 21 Nov 12
Please don'tget anal and say about the development of players on the fringe is important etc etc
Just let GFZ do his job Frank do his and get behind the horns.
DuffmanWFC
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9:24am Wed 21 Nov 12
What matters is the fringe players and players that haven't played much recently get some match fitness!
Well done to Zola for keeping these players fitness levels up!
Travelling Hornet
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11:26am Wed 21 Nov 12
Hope the new boss doesn't recall him !
PhilippineOrn
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12:53pm Wed 21 Nov 12
AngelHornet
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1:57pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Travelling Hornet wrote:It's a good point, but Chalobah isn't ready to challenge for the Chelsea first team. he's better off staying with us until the end of this season...at least!
Different thread, with Di Matteo sacked we've lost the link to Chelsea, I wonder what will happen with Chaobah's loan? I know it's for an initial 6 months but it makes sense to keep him for the season.
Hope the new boss doesn't recall him !
SAHornet
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5:34pm Wed 21 Nov 12
mickallen57
says...
5:50pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Travelling Hornet
says...
6:22pm Wed 21 Nov 12
mickallen57 wrote:Think you have had to of won the Champions league to be considered for Chelsea now.
The betting is on for Benitez believe it or not.If he is in the running watch out Pozzo GFZ could be next.
DuffmanWFC
says...
7:33pm Wed 21 Nov 12
6:22pm Wed 21 Nov 12
mickallen57 wrote:
The betting is on for Benitez believe it or not.If he is in the running watch out Pozzo GFZ could be next.
Think you have had to of won the Champions league to be considered for Chelsea now
DuffmanWFC says: not being funny but the special one and Ancelotti both won the Champions League before going to Chelsea but it didn't stop them from getting the sack, and that's after winning titles!
DuffmanWFC
says...
7:35pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Holly68
says...
11:14pm Wed 21 Nov 12
Bush Hornet
says...
12:07am Thu 22 Nov 12
SAHornet
says...
7:14am Thu 22 Nov 12
Bush Hornet wrote:.....so just clarify please BH, does this mean that you do or you do not like them much? :-)
Abramovic is vile and disgusting. Zola's association with Chelsea is, sadly, like the foul mucus that hangs around my nasal system when the cold has departed. I like Zola, but Chelsea are repugnant in a way that even Cardiff could only aspire to be.
Alex Hilcroft
says...
9:14am Thu 22 Nov 12
Bush Hornet
says...
10:05am Thu 22 Nov 12
SAHornet wrote:I'm not over keen on Chelsea.
Bush Hornet wrote:.....so just clarify please BH, does this mean that you do or you do not like them much? :-)
Abramovic is vile and disgusting. Zola's association with Chelsea is, sadly, like the foul mucus that hangs around my nasal system when the cold has departed. I like Zola, but Chelsea are repugnant in a way that even Cardiff could only aspire to be.
Put it this way: if that hack Martin Samuel wanted to write an article about everything that is wrong with football, Chelsea would be a good place to start.
Alex Hilcroft
says...
10:08am Thu 22 Nov 12
Bush Hornet wrote:Agreed. Their contrasting approach to the Terry/Clattenburg 'racism' affairs shows a particularly stunning lack of self-awareness
SAHornet wrote:I'm not over keen on Chelsea.
Bush Hornet wrote:.....so just clarify please BH, does this mean that you do or you do not like them much? :-)
Abramovic is vile and disgusting. Zola's association with Chelsea is, sadly, like the foul mucus that hangs around my nasal system when the cold has departed. I like Zola, but Chelsea are repugnant in a way that even Cardiff could only aspire to be.
Put it this way: if that hack Martin Samuel wanted to write an article about everything that is wrong with football, Chelsea would be a good place to start.
Bringe says...
4:57pm Tue 20 Nov 12