Away Day Wiz Diaries #14 – Sunderland (1-2) & Watford (2-1)
Two belated entries slide into the growing compendium of Away Day Wiz Diaries, with two 2-1 scorelines that went either way.
Alan Pickard
First of all, may I wish you all a belated Happy New Year. I hope 2025 will be a memorable year for you and your families and friends.
It was only 12 hours into the new year when we were back on the road.
On the road to Sunderland to be precise, with a brief refreshment break planned at the seaside town of Seaham. As is now customary in these write-ups, I'll have a moan—8 pm New Year’s Day. Whoever thought "yeah that'll be sound", please proceed forward into the sea and keep walking. Unacceptable kick-off time.
It also wouldn't be a Wiz write-up without a coach problem, would it? So here's the first of 2025: Coach 2 gets within breathing distance of Seaham and the windscreen wiper disintegrates, on what is indisputably the wettest day of the year because it’s raining and it's the only day of the year so far. So, they're gonna send a new Coach to meet us later. But first, let's get some beer down us in Seaham. It's bloody freezing.
The Stadium of Light. At what point I'm going to stop referring to it as a new stadium when it opened in 1997? I'm not entirely sure. What I do know is it's a magnificent ground. Usually about -15 degrees even in summer, but magnificent, with the away fans are treated to a brilliant view as seen below. Normally, I prefer to be lower tier pitch side, but for the two big uns in the northeast, I really don't mind being up in the gods.
The game itself then. We lost, so I've not got much to say because I'm a sore loser. But in my humble opinion, we were the better side up there and controlled most of the game. We let ourselves down with 3 errors leading to 2 goals, and by not putting the ball in the onion sack from the penalty though. United’s goal coming courtesy of an own goal after Gus had smashed one into the goalmouth, not long after nearly catching the Sunlun keeper off guard with a smashed effort from out wide. Alas, we return from the northeast, getting in bed at 1.30 am with nowt to show for it. So let's move on.
To Watford!
I'm not sure what to write here, because I've nothing to moan about and no coach issues to report. Hoorah I hear you all cry. I'm not a miserable person, I promise. I'm just getting on a bit. You'll have to put up with my moaning.
A stop-off at the usual point of St Albans brought the usual shenanigans. Beers and a bit of snap. And then it was onto Vicarage Road, where I wasn’t expecting our depleted squad to come away with anything if I'm honest—I'm knackered after so many games over Christmas, so I can't imagine how tired the players are.
Vicarage Road is a really nice ground by the way. They've developed it nicely and it's not oversized, it feels compact and close to the pitch and the addition of things like a sensory room should be applauded—fair to say this ground has come a long way since the early 2000s. They will be docked points though for a lack of an away bar though.
It was Graham Taylor Day, where tributes were paid towards the late great former Watford manager, which did get me thinking, why do we wait until someone passes to celebrate them? Do it now, while they're here, so they can see it. That's a change I'd make across society. I've gone off on a tangent again haven’t I?
The first half then, we get ourselves in front after some neat work from Callum O'Hare - he can't lie - to set Gus in behind to provide a neat finish into the corner. We should have been one up by then anyway truth be told. We'd been in behind once already only for the Watford keeper to thwart Andre Brook’s efforts. The lead didn't last long. Watford capitalised on our tired legs to get in behind and get a nicely worked equaliser in front of the away fans.
The second half we managed to get ourselves back into the lead, a fantastic finish from Andre Brooks from 22 yards, who then ran off and celebrated in front of the travelling support with a backflip that left me checking if I'd pulled a hamstring myself. My delight was somewhat tempered when I looked at the clock. Bugger. We've scored too early. We've got at least 35 minutes to see out now, and Harrison Burrows has been chatting with his ancestors since about five past three.
But, I needn't have worried, a warrior-like defensive effort, combined with some brilliant goalkeeping, the odd slice of luck and Tom Davies running further than my mate Giacomo, saw us through. A huge 3 points. No wonder the gaffer looked emotional at the end. We all felt the same sense of pride clapping them off. What a win. And I'll finish off by saying I hope the Watford keeper has a speedy recovery, especially after Yacer Larouci and his less-than-impressive medical skills probably doubled the amount of time he's going to be out injured.
Right, that’s it. Just time for a couple of alternative man of the match awards before I sign off.
Sunderland - Nathaniel Baldwin, the inventor of personal headphones. Coach one people will probably understand that.....
Watford - Willo, the Irish branch of The Wiz. The man who doesn't let the little matter of the sea being in the way prevent him from travelling to support his club. Great to see you again pal.
Thanks, Alan
Happy New Year to you, too – and glad you enjoyed your travels.
Sitting pitch-side as I normally do, it was a revelation to be so high up at Sunderland and Newcastle. Once at St James’s Park I was so high I couldn’t hear the ball being kicked!
I think we gave pretty good accounts of ourselves in both matches – no one can say we don’t play through pain (players and supporters)!
Great report – and I feel quite chuffed with your comments on Watford’s ground – I worked for the Architects who designed the new stuff.
Sue.