Battered 'em (Pt. 2)

History will show that not all the records went the champions-elect's way this season and that will be because of how Watford outplayed and destroyed them on Saturday evening. The younger Watford Boy and I got to celebrate three initially unexpected goals - two by Sarr and one from Deeney - as the Red's unbeaten run came to an end.

Battered 'em

In Quique Flores' first game back, we had a good go at Arsenal for 25 mins or so then went 2-0 down in 15 more mins and that was the score at the break.

We've had a shit start to the season, losing at home to Brighton and West Ham, and I am already fearful that my son's first season as a season-ticket-holder is going to see us relegated.

After half-time, though, we absolutely battered the Gooners and they were -"scared" according to their captain - and lucky to leave with a point considering we had more shots against them than they've ever faced in the Opta-era. One point was brilliant considering half-time, but disappointing given our overall dominance.

Memories

I was at Wembley in 1984 but don't remember much of the actual football. My impressions are of the ground and the fans. Ahead of last Saturday's FA Cup final, I watched pre-1984-final build up on YouTube and had some time to think about my experience of that final with my dad and brother and how I wanted my son to experience this, 2019, one.

We cycled to the stadium and parked our bikes on racks in the NE corner. It was 12 miles, mostly along the canal, then over industrial areas and on to Brent River Park and the final industrial/commercial road to the iconic arch. I'd bought my wonderful son a new bike ahead of a ride from Carlisle to Newcastle next week and this was a great opportunity to cover some ground on it. This was therefore a big part of our experience of the day and he did well and we enjoyed the ride.

We arrived early enough to wander and look for things to do. I'd contacted my sister and nephew but in the end was unable to get together with them. Instead, after a photo op with the marching band, we hung out at the fan park for a while and then got talking to some Hornet fans outside the supermarket by the stadium.

Stories and facts were swapped but I remained a little concerned that my original plan of finding a family with kids to chat to had not materialised. We stayed more than an hour before heading in. The little man had the match programme, my phone and occasional conversation to entertain him. I had beer and chat with a couple of older guys, one of whom was Ray Lewington's cousin.

We entered and walked around a little before taking our seats. I bumped into my uncle, Redmond, before too long and the boy and I spent a nice ten minutes or so chatting with him, my aunt and their son. My boy remained pretty quiet throughout.

Then we went up for the match and started to "soak up the atmosphere", a phrase I'd overused when lowering expectations ("I'd be happy if we scored a goal") in the weeks before the match. I've mentioned the 1881 before, but their impact on the support base was phenomenal in this match, especially towards the end of the thumping.

We were playing the best team in England by far (from us and everyone else except Liverpool) and apart from an early chance that fell to Pererya and was well saved, we weren't really in this game. Some have since suggested that fact is support for an argument that the super-rich clubs need to separate and work exclusively in international competition and leave the rest of us to compete on a national level. I probably need a little more distance from this cringe-inducing experience to assess my ideas.

But cringe I did not. That was not part of my role for my son. Four days later, I was still a little hoarse: I sang and I led the chants and I tickled, bumped and cajoled my boy into enjoying this painful experience. I had a lovely time with him and hope that he will hold onto memories of the ground and the amazing dedication of the fans, who were singing through the fifth and sixth goals.

In my seat I googled the highest ever winning margin in an FA Cup Final. 6-0 in 1903. We did not do worse.

We cycled back the 12 miles with a chocolate stop in 90 minutes or so - quicker than getting there. I don't remember too much about the one-sided match just four days later. But I  have great memories of the fans in the ground and the day with my son.

Wem-ber-ley

It's not the same, going to an FA Cup Semi alone; the boy's in China and neither of the friends I asked wanted to join me.

Big games like this are always nervy. However thrilling the neutral sees it as, those who really care can't enjoy it in the same way.

Until it's over.

Watford had beaten Woking and QPR on the way to this semi-final. Wolves had disposed of Liverpool and Man U. They were rightly favourites and were 2-0 up after 61 minutes.

So Deulofeu's dramatic cameo as a second-half sub will go down in Hornet history. His first goal - in front of us - was sublime. And after our legend of a captain - Troy Deeney - was fouled and converted the penalty, Deulofeu scored again in extra time. An amazing comeback - the best in post-war history, apparently.

We have made our second ever FA Cup Final. I'll be there again. And I'll be able to take the younger Watford Boy, who'll be delighted. I'll enjoy it more, too.

Not much luck

I took my pride and joy to three more home games (Stoke 0-1, Huddersfield 1-4, Spurs 0-4) last season and missed the victories against Arsenal and Man U. So this season I thought I'd better mix it up. After 4 opening wins on the trot, I thought we might get something against MU again. No such luck, and it's been a couple of years since the 7-y-o has seen us win. Hope I get my next choice of match right.

10 men hold on

1881 has flags out every home game and the little man enjoys waving them. Unfortunately that one was one of the highlights of this game for him, as the 'Orns, down to 10 men after a Britos foul that - from 100m away - drew a collective intake of breath from the Rookery, held on to get a point in a goalless game with the yet-to-score Seagulls.

Young Watford Boy's first post

We went to a football match (Watford V Leicester). In 30 seconds Watford scored! (1-0). Twelve minutes later Watford scored again! (2-0). Three minutes later there was a penalty for  Leicester and they scored (2-1). In  the end, Watford beat the champions!