Premiership Watford shook off their first-half lethargy to score their first
goal in 357 minutes on the way to a 2-0 Worthington Cup second-round first-leg
win.
But Graham Taylor's side were fortunate not to be behind after 27 minutes when
the Second Division leaders hit the bar.
Stuart Barlow rounded Watford's Paul Robinson and drove over a cross which
Michael O'Neill met with a fierce header which thundered against the woodwork
and bounced clear.
Watford ended their goal famine 12 minutes after the restart when midfield
substitute Clint Easton drove in a low 25-yard shot which skidded off the damp
surface past keeper Roy Carroll.
Watford all but camped in the Wigan half but had to wait until the 71st minute
before gaining a second goal.
It came when Easton set up Micah Hyde, who duplicated his colleague with a low
shot from just outside the box.
Wigan were unlucky not to pull a goal back. Twice they found Watford keeper
Alec Chamberlain in brilliant form.
First he saved to an Andy Liddell shot at the foot of the post and then he
turned round a close-range effort from Ian Kilford.
But Chamberlain's best save came after 82 minutes when a cross by substitute
David Lee was met superbly by Liddell - but the former Sunderland stopper turned
the ball over the bar.
Teams
Watford: Chamberlain, Lyttle (Easton 45), Williams, Page,
Robinson, Hyde, Palmer, Kennedy, Wright (Gudmundsson 83),
Ngonge (Smart 45), Mooney.
Subs Not Used: Day, Bonnot.
Booked: Hyde, Kennedy, Ngonge, Wright.
Goals: Easton 57, Hyde 70.
Wigan: Carroll, Green, Balmer, De Zeeuw, Bradshaw, Kilford,
O`Neill, Sheridan, Liddell, Haworth, Barlow (Lee 71).
Subs Not Used: Stillie, Martinez, Bowen, Sharp.
Booked: De Zeeuw, Sheridan, O`Neill.
Att: 6,628
Ref: D Crick (Worcester Park).
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