Walsall were given another nudge towards relegation by an impressive Watford
side at the Bescot Stadium.
Goals from Gary Fisken and record signing Allan Nielsen in the first half,
with the lively Tommy Smith grabbing a third after the break, gave the Hornets
an easy win.
It also stretched Watford's unbeaten run to seven matches, in which they have
also conceded just one goal.
Walsall were never in it, although they were unlucky to lose central defender
Ian Roper in the first minute with an injury to his face when he was
accidentally caught by Nordin Wooter's flying elbow.
The re-organised Saddlers' defence could not cope with the speed and movement
of Watford's classy attack and they always looked to have the game in control.
The visitors struck first in the 21st minute, young Fisken scoring his first
goal for the club with a clever lob as Walsall's James Walker dashed off his
line and was caught in no man's land.
Walsall had their moments after that, Pedro Matias having a low drive cleared
off the line by Nielson, and then Jorge Leitao connecting with a header which
Alec Chamberlain saved brilliantly diving to his right.
But it was all over in the 39th minute when Watford increased their lead, with
former Spurs man Nielson cleverly heading a deep ball from Neil Cox over
Walker.
Walsall tried to make a fight of it in the second half but could not penetrate
Watford's rugged defence, although late on Chamberlain pulled off another fine
save from substitute Darren Byfield.
Watford always looked dangerous on the break, and Smith headed against the
post in the 79th minute.
But with seven minutes left Smith made no mistake, cutting in from the left to
drive a low shot beyond Walker for Watford's third.
Teams
Walsall: Walker, Brightwell, Carbon, Roper (Gadsby 8), Aranalde, Wrack, Bennett, Biancalani, Matias (Herivelto 71), Angell, Leitao (Byfield 75).
Subs Not Used: Harper, Andre.
Booked: Wrack, Brightwell.
Watford: Chamberlain, Cox (Doyley 85), Vega, Issa, Robinson, Wooter (Helguson 74), Vernazza, Fisken, Nielsen, Gayle, Smith (Noel-Williams 84).
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Hyde.
Booked: Cox, Smith.
Goals: Fisken 21, Nielsen 39, Smith 83.
Att: 6,882
Ref: R Beeby (Northampton).
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