Watford's League Cup victory over Nottingham Forest photos

Some of Watford’s most memorable victories during their golden decade under Graham Taylor happened in the League Cup.

Watford visited the red half of Manchester in 1978 and claimed a famous 2-1 victory at Old Trafford in the third round, while September 1980 witnessed the remarkable 7-1 second round triumph over Southampton after Taylor’s side had lost the first leg 4-0. It wasn’t the last time the Hornets were to make headlines in the competition that season.

Luther Blissett fired the Hornets in front from the penalty spot (Image: Watford Observer)

After beating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 in the third round, Watford were drawn against a Nottingham Forest side that were European champions and had reached the final three years in a row.

Blissett celebrates with Ross Jenkins (Image: Watford Observer)

It seems unthinkable now, but Forest’s legendary manager Brian Clough missed the tie because he was on holiday with his family in Majorca.

Ross Jenkins scores the first goal of his hat-trick (Image: Watford Observer)

He wasn’t at Vicarage Road on October 28, 1980 but an attendance of 22,742 was to witness Luther Blissett put the hosts in front from the penalty spot before Ross Jenkins scored a hat-trick to secure a wonderful 4-1 victory for the then Division Two side.

It was a memorable night for the Hornets striker (Image: Watford Observer)

A smiling Graham Taylor follows a jubilant Steve Harrison down the tunnel (Image: Watford Observer)

Brian Clough's shell-shocked assistant Peter Taylor was in charge of the Forest side that night (Image: Watford Observer) Jenkins holds the match ball as he celebrates with his strike partner (Image: Watford Observer)

Cheers! Raising a plastic cup in celebration (Image: Watford Observer)

Taylor celebrates with Eddie Plumley (Image: Watford Observer)

The Hornets hat-trick hero receives a trophy (Image: Watford Observer)