Hornets sink Seasiders
Williamson and Priskin find target for Watford
Last Updated: February 21, 2009 6:46pm
Priskin: Late goal
Watford pulled further clear of the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
The Hornets were unable to break the deadlock in an uninspiring first half but they did not have to wait long in the second period as Mike Williamson struck in the 54th minute.
Tamas Priskin, a constant menace throughout the afternoon, then lobbed home a second five minutes from time to seal the win.
Roy O'Donovan went close after three minutes for the home side before Priskin sent a volley from the edge of the area narrowly wide for Watford a minute later.
Seasiders striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher's first-time effort then forced visiting goalkeeper Scott Loach into action in the 14th minute when he parried the ball to safety as the home side began to gain a foothold in the game.
Former Birmingham striker DJ Campbell, rejuvenated since his loan move from League One side Leicester, once again appeared sharp and his long range drive whistled over the crossbar soon after.
The Seasiders continued to press but struggled to open up the much-improved Watford defence as former Faroe Islands international Claus Bech Jorgensen had two shots blocked in quick succession as the half-time whistle drew nearer.
Determined
Both sides emerged from the tunnel determined to open the scoring as O'Donovan had a shot heroically blocked by Williamson before Blackpool keeper Matt Gilks comfortably gathered Priskin's spectacular overhead kick.
And it was not long before the deadlock was broken and it was the visitors who made the vital breakthrough.
After a period of attacking pressure, Jobi McAnuff's incisive inswinging corner found defender Williamson who powered his header into the back of the net from 12 yards out to give his side a lead.
The goal gave the match a new lease of life and almost immediately Blackpool broke in search of an equaliser but Campbell's drilled effort cleared the bar.
But it was Watford who were in the ascendancy with McAnuff's deliveries causing chaos in the Blackpool defence - Jack Cork and Don Cowie both going close with headers.
The home side struggled to get back into the game as Watford dominated possession.
And Watford got the decisive goal their play deserved with just six minutes remaining when livewire striker Priskin was played through by McAnuff before lofting the ball delicately over the stranded Gilks to make it 2-0.
Matches
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npower Championship
Table
npower Championship
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiff City | 46 | 87 |
| 2 | Hull City | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Watford | 46 | 77 |
| 4 | Brighton and Hove Albion | 46 | 75 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 46 | 72 |
| 6 | Leicester City | 46 | 68 |
| 7 | Bolton Wanderers | 46 | 68 |
| 8 | Nottingham Forest | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Charlton Athletic | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Derby County | 46 | 61 |
| 11 | Burnley | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Birmingham City | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Leeds United | 46 | 61 |
| 14 | Ipswich Town | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Blackpool | 46 | 59 |
| 16 | Middlesbrough | 46 | 59 |
| 17 | Blackburn Rovers | 46 | 58 |
| 18 | Sheffield Wednesday | 46 | 58 |
| 19 | Huddersfield Town | 46 | 58 |
| 20 | Millwall | 46 | 56 |
| 21 | Barnsley | 46 | 55 |
| 22 | Peterborough United | 46 | 54 |
| 23 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Bristol City | 46 | 41 |
