Watford 2-1 Darlington (1-1 aet)

---

Posted at 11:32 PM GMT, Wednesday, 27th August 2008

Watford needed extra time to see off Darlington in the second round of the League Cup. The home side took the lead through Damien Francis but Quakers equalised moments from the end to force the game into extra time. Darlington had bossed the majority of the game and their equaliser was a deserved one.

The Hornets were somewhat fortunate to take the lead eight minutes before half time. Ross Jenkins' shot took a deflection and fell into the path of Francis who slotted home. Despite Watford calling Darlington keeper Simon Brown into action early on Jason Kennedy could have put the visitors ahead. Billy Clarke found some space and pulled the ball back on the by-line to the former Middlesbrough man who could only place his shot over the bar.

Quakers played some good football for the duration of the game and with just over ten minutes played Franz Burgmeier, making his first start in English football and for Darlington, crossed for Gregg Blundell who narrowly missed making a connection with the ball. As the first half continued Scott Loach was nearly left embarrassed by the Liechtenstein international when his long range shot slipped through his grasp.

Despite playing well Darlington fell behind after thirty-seven minutes. A shot from twenty-five yards out fell into the path of Francis thanks to a deflection and the former Wigan player rolled the ball home to give his side the lead. Quakers refused to let their heads drop but Francis could have grabbed a second goal during injury time at the end of the first period when he shot wide of the near post.

During the second half Watford were unable to put the game to bed and Darlington continued to look the better side. Finally however Quakers pulled themselves level and took the match to extra time. Gregg Blundell latched onto the end of Adam Griffin's ball and lobbed Loach for the deserved equaliser. Darlington then should have stolen a winning goal. Clarke managed to get the better of Leigh Bromby outside of the box and with just the keeper to beat put his shot wide.

Quakers were the better side in extra time but David Poole and Clarke both missed chances and the match appeared set for penalties. However the Championship side, who rung the changes for the game, finally managed to regain the advantage. John-Joe O'Toole fired in after Liam Henderson laid the ball off for the midfielder to find the net and condemn Quakers to a very undeserved defeat that allowed Watford to progress to round three.

Watford: Loach, Doyley, Bromby, Mariappa, Sadler, Ainsworth, Francis (Bangura 75), Jenkins, Young, Hoskins (O'Toole 62), Priskin (Henderson 75). Subs Not Used: Poom, Gibson, Avinel, Parkes.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, Foster, Miller, Valentine (Purdie 62), Kennedy, Ravenhill, Burgmeier (Poole 71), Hulbert (Griffin 71), Blundell, Clarke. Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Smith, Main, White.

Watford bookings: O'Toole, Ainsworth.

Darlington bookings: Blundell.

Goals: Francis 37th min (0-1), Blundell 90th min (1-1), O'Toole 116th min (1-2).

Att: 5,236