Friday, May 16, 1997

Arsenal were the visitors to Vicarage Road in a testimonial game for long-serving groundsman Les Simmons.

The visitors, who were to win the league title the following season, triumphed 4-1 with future Hornet Stephen Hughes amongst the scorers; Stuart Slater netted the Hornets' reply.

Highlight of the game was a late cameo by 39-year-old assistant manager Luther Blissett; Arsenal's defence respectfully backed off to allow the veteran a shot on goal before youngster Nicolas Anelka, failing to appreciate the gravity of the moment, nipped in to rob the veteran striker.

Reproduced by kind permission of Matt Rowson from his book, Watford FC On This Day