Tuesday, October 28, 1980

Watford entertained reigning European champions Nottingham Forest at Vicarage Road in the fourth round of the League Cup.

Forest had beaten Watford in the semi-final of the same competition two seasons previously on the way to winning the trophy, and had lost the previous season's final earlier in the year.

The visitors were missing Peter Shilton, ruled out by a havy cold, and also manager Brian Clough, who was holidaying in Majorca.

From the moment a Luther Blissett penalty gave the Hornets the lead on 42 minutes the home side were in complete control, overpowering Forest in midfield and forcing errors in defence.

Ross Jenkins added a second before half-time, pouncing on a rebound after Kenny Jackett's shot was saved, and completed a hat-trick in the second half before Ian Wallace added an irrelevant consolation.

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