Teenage striker Dean Bowditch scored a hat-trick for Division One play-off
chasers Ipswich as Watford goalkeeper Lenny Pidgeley endured a torrid afternoon
at Portman Road.
Pidgeley gifted the England youth international the opener after five minutes
as he attempted to clear a Sean Dyche backpass - only for the ball to bobble off
his standing foot, leaving Bowditch with a simple finish.
The 17-year-old, whose only other Ipswich goal came in the Carling Cup victory
at Kidderminster earlier this season, then showed composure beyond his years to
slot home his second midway through the half.
Pidgeley was again at fault for the third on the hour after a misunderstanding
between defender Jerel Ifil, as the on-loan Chelsea stopper let in Bowditch to
complete his hat-trick.
Watford grabbed a lifeline on the stroke of half-time as Scott Fitzgerald
netted his 11th goal of the campaign to make it 2-1 - but the visitors offered
little in the second half, and Jermaine Wright sealed a comfortable victory with
a fourth goal at the death.
Ipswich made one change to the side which returned to winning ways at Walsall
in midweek, with John McGreal replacing Richard Naylor.
Watford handed a debut to Chris Baird, who signed on a month's loan from
Southampton this week.
Town striker Darren Bent, who scored a hat-trick against the Saddlers, had the
first chance of the game after four minutes - but his first-time shot flashed
wide.
Ipswich did take the lead a minute later, though, as Pidgeley's error allowed
Bowditch - chasing a lost cause - to score into an empty net.
The home side were dominating and extended their advantage in the 24th
minute.
Bent picked out Bowditch with a pinpoint cross, and he coolly chested the ball
down under pressure and slotted past Pidgeley for his second.
Matt Elliott headed straight at the goalkeeper shortly afterwards as Town
looked likely to add a third, before Watford hit back - with Heidar Helguson
spurning three quickfire chances.
He was one-on-one with Kelvin Davis but failed to poke the ball past the
advancing goalkeeper after 32 minutes - and from his team's next attack the
Iceland international was inches away from connecting with an inviting low cross
from Baird.
He then drove a right-footed shot past the post as the Hornets began to look
increasingly threatening.
They managed to pull a goal back in first-half stoppage time when Fitzgerald
turned sharply in the area and drilled the ball home.
Bent had the first noteworthy chance of the second half for Ipswich. But his
low shot whistled past the post, and moments later Ian Westlake thundered an
effort wide.
Bowditch completed his hat-trick in the 61st minute as he took advantage of
hesitation in the visitors' defence to score, and that killed the game as a
contest.
Watford battled gamely, but Ipswich were always on top, and a superb passing
movement culminated in a fourth goal in injury time.
Wright received the ball on the edge of the area and slammed home.
Teams
Ipswich: Davis, Wilnis, McGreal, Elliott, Richards, Wright,
Magilton (Mitchell 82), Miller, Westlake, Bowditch,
Bent (Kuqi 82).
Subs Not Used: Price, Diallo, Armstrong.
Goals: Bowditch 5, 24, 61, Wright 90.
Watford: Pidgeley, Baird, Dyche, Ifil, Mayo, Ardley (Cook 73),
Hyde, Mahon, Devlin, Helguson, Fitzgerald (Webber 86).
Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Vernazza, Dyer.
Booked: Helguson.
Goals: Fitzgerald 45.
Att: 23,524
Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).
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