A DOMINIC FOLEY hat-trick secured a 4-1 victory for Watford Reserves over Wimbledon Reserves the Hornets' first three points of the season at Vicarage Road on Wednesday, October 17, although the winning margin was nowhere near as comfortable as the scoreline suggests.

Foley's goalscoring exploits were made all the more remarkable by the fact this was his second successive hat-trick for the reserves in the last three matches against the London side after a 3-2 victory on the last day of last season, and he also scored in a recent friendly.

It was the visitors who made the stronger start to the match as their slick passing caused the Hornets' defence problems, while at the other end Watford were struggling to find their men.

However, it was the hosts who came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 15th minute when Barrie Matthews' surging run down the left was unceremoniously ended by Duncan Jupp, and Rob Gier, in the heart of Wimbledon's defence, somehow managed to clear Sam Swonnell's excellent delivery from the resultant free kick.

From here, though, Wimbledon began to take control, with Lionel Morgan, outstanding in midfield.

Morgan was giving Matthews a torrid time down the Wimbledon right, and it was his trickery that led to the opener in the 20th minute.

Peter Hawkins, swung over a hanging ball from the left, and although Morgan's overhead kick was blocked by Jerel Ifil. Morgan picked up the rebound and glided past Matthews, before being dumped on the turf for a clear penalty that Alex Tapp converted with ease.

With the Hornets looking ragged, Wimbledon began to surge forward, and should have made it two, five minutes later, when Adam Newland's effort was saved by Alec Chamberlain, only for the loose ball to fall for Paul Robinson three yards out, who somehow missed when it seemed easier to find the back of the net.

Watford finally managed a shot on target in the 33rd minute when Foley controlled Tom Neill's ball from the right, but his fiercely struck half-volley was beat out by Shane Gore.

Jason Norville replaced Fabian Forde for the Hornets at half time, and his introduction proved vital as Watford produced an excellent second half performance to over-run the visitors.

Norville had already threatened down the right, when, on 53 minutes he created the equaliser. He picked up a loose ball in the box, and although his first effort was blocked by Gore, he picked up the rebound, and floated a delightful cross to the back post where Foley was waiting to head home.

Watford looked to have finally found their rhythm, and Matthews came close to giving his side the lead, but his header from Neill's cross was saved.

That was Neill's last contribution to the game as he was replaced by Neil Saunders, and the substitute did well down the right hand side, almost creating an opening for Matthews, but the left-back dwindled for too long on the ball and the chance was lost.

However, Watford did get the goal that their second half play deserved with only six minutes left until the final whistle.

Jamie Hand brought on for the ineffective Gary Fisken delivered a corner from the left, which was cleared to the edge of the box where Swonnell was waiting to unlatch a sweetly struck half-volley low into Gore's bottom right hand corner.

With Wimbledon looking despondent, Watford wrapped the game up moments later when Hand and Matt Langston did well to play the ball out of defence to Swonnell, who threaded a ball through for Foley to chase, and the striker kept his cool to slot it past Gore from the edge of the box.

Foley completed his hat-trick in injury time when, after being played through by Swonnell again, he cleverly dinked the ball over Gore from a tight angle to wrap up the victory, and record the reserves' first three points of the season.

Reserve team boss Ray Lewington was pleased with the victory and second half performance, but thought the scoreline slightly flattered the Hornets.

He said: "It was a very poor first half in which we didn't play very well. Jason Norville came on and gave us an added impetus up front, and we were a much better side up front in the second half.

"The scoreline made it appear we finished comfortable, but the game was never that comfortable.

"Foley did very well for his hat-trick, while Jason Norville and Sam Swonnell both did well."

October 20, 2001 15:23

Marc Dodd