WATFORD 2 CITY 1
League Division 1
3rd January 1983
Attendance 20,049
Scorer Gilligan(25 & 37)
Ref John Martin
City Corrigan, Ranson, McDonald, Reid, Power, Bond, Tueart, Reeves, Kinsey, Hartford, Bodak – Sub Lomax(unused)
Watford Sherwood, Rice, Rostron, Taylor, Sims, Bolton, Callaghan, Blissett, Gilligan, Jackett, Barnes
FROM THE PRESS BOX
REPORT FROM THE ABERDEEN PRESS AND JOURNAL 4TH JANUARY 1983
Jimmy Gilligan grabbed his first senior goals to send Watford into second place in the First Division, 10 points adrift of Liverpool.
Gilligan(19), a member of Watford’s triumphant FA Youth Cup winning side last season, struck after 25 minutes to leave Manchester City still searching for their first away win since September.
To add to City’s misery Bobby McDonald, Peter Bodak and Nicky Reid plus assistant manager John Benson were booked by Hampshire referee John Martin.
Benson shouted from the bench once too often as City’s plans came unstuck on a glue pot pitch.
The difference between the sides was simple, Watford took their chances.
Gilligan, deputising for the injured Ross Jenkins, broke the deadlock with a glancing header from a cross by Wilf Rostron. Dennis Tueart blasted over an open goal at the other end, before Gilligan added a second in only his third team outing.
Gilligan could have had a hat-trick before the interval but for a 43rd minute miskick in front of goal.
Manchester City manager John Bond added to the controversy surrounding Watford’s playing style when he said after last night’s 2-0 defeat: “I haven’t seen anything quite like that in my 32 years in football. I wouldn’t like to play that way. But I suppose they will finish up in Europe and everything will be justified.”