Watford – Southampton

Join Soccernet at 16.30 BST for live commentary for Watford's FA Cup semi-final clash with Southampton.

Villa Park is the venue for the second FA Cup semi final of the day with First Division Watford taking on Premier League Southampton for a place in the final against holders Arsenal.

The Hornets only FA Cup final appearance to date came in 1984, when they lost out 2-1 to Everton. Saints have not reached the final since 1976, when they ran out 1-0 winners over Manchester United.

Watford: Chamberlain, Mahon, Cox, Gayle, Robinson, Ardley, Hyde, Vernazza, Glass, Helguson, Chopra.

Southampton: Jones, Telfer, Lundekvam, Michael Svensson, Bridge, Fernandes, Anders Svensson, Oakley, Marsden, Ormerod, Beattie.

Referee Mike Riley gets us underway. Main team news is that Welsh international Paul Jones replaces Southampton's first choice 'keeper Antti Niemi who is kept out with a knee injury.

An early attack from Saints gives Watford goalie Alec Chamberlain his first touch of the ball.

Watford's Micah Hyde and Saints' Matt Oakley look set for a battle in the centre of the park today, with a few snappy challenges already between the two.

Good skills from James Beattie on the edge of the Watford penalty area, but the Hornets' defence shut out the Premier League's top scorer.

Watford's Heidar Helguson gets his head to a deep cross and is unlucky not to get a goal, but the ball just goes out - early scrae for Saints!

Watford, who have yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup this season, are clearly up for the match today and are not willing to show their Premiership opposition too much respect.

Southampton being kept in their own half so far as the Watford strikers defend from the front, refusing to allow the Saints midfield anytime on the ball.

Beattie is felled by Watford captain Neil Cox 35 yards out, but Beattie's free kick is poor and ricochets of the wall.

No team on top of the game as yet, scrappy battles in the midfield have failed to create any clear chances.

Beattie connects with a great cross from England left back Wayne Bridge, but the header is just over the bar.

Pressure building now from Saints, with Chamberlain denying Fabrice Fernandes.

Southampton's 34-year-old midfielder Chris Marsden cuts out a fine spell of passing from Watford.

Good work from Southampton's Beattie and Brett Ormerod results in shot, but the whistle goes for an infringement - threatening stuff from the Premiership outfit.

First glimpse of Michael Chopra the exciting 19-year-old Newcastle striker on loan at Watford, he looks dangerous but is robbed by Bridge.

Watford look comfortable on the ball and have been afforded time to string some passes together in the centre of the field, but the last ball is too long for Heidar Helguson.

Southampton pressing forward and a long throw from Matt Oakley almost lets Bridge in for a volley.

A good ball into the Watford box from Fernandes leaves the winger wondering where his strikers were as the 'keeper gathers unthreatened.

Watford being penned back in their own half.

A long kick from the back gives Chopra a chance to show his pace and Saints 'keeper Jones is forced to rush his clearnace.

Watford, having soaked up some pressure, showing that they are capable on the counter attack Chopra again making life difficult for Saints, this time Paul Telfer.

Beattie unhappy with a decision from referee Riley, free kick to the Hornets deep in their own half.

Watford's Stephen Glass lets a volley fly from 35 yards - it is high and wide of Jones' goal.

Chopra took a heavy knock in the last attack, Watford manager Ray Lewington will hope the striker can run it off.

Southampton's Michael Svensson latches on to a good cross from the right, but his header creeps wide.

Saints fans appeal for a penalty after Helguson handles in the area, but the ref is not interested.

Neat play down the left hand channel by Marsden and Bridge almost lets in Beattie but the Hornets defence is packed and the danger is cleared.

Again Bridge and Marsden link up well down the left, this time Bridge is fouled and Watford's Cox goes into the book.

This time Bridge, on another exciting overlapping run down the left, fails to get his foot round the ball and his attempted cross spoons into the crowd.

Southampton begining to show their class now, having bossed the last 10 minutes of the game.

Fernandes puts in two crosses in quick succession, but each time the Watford central defence are equal to it.

A chance for Beattie goes begging. Cox failed to connect with a long ball letting in Beattie, but his attempt to loft it over Chamberlain comes to naught.

Beattie again causing problems and Helguson is forced to concede a corner.

From the kick Marsden is caught offside and Watford can breathe again.

Southampton boss Gordon Strachan is clearly keen on getting the ball to both Bridge and Fernandes - all their best moves are coming from the wings.

A good header from Michael Svensson is just over Chamberlain's goal from another Saints corner.

Five minutes of the half left, Watford will surely be happy to go in with a clean sheet.

A hopeful long ball from Cox ends up harmlessly at Jones' feet. Poor from Watford in the last 20 minutes.

Goal for Southampton!!

Anders Svensson threads a ball to Marsden on the left hand side and his delightful ball is dispatched into the net by Brett Ormerod with a fine header. A very well crafted goal.

Bad news for Watford, but the goal is exactly what Saints deserved.

All of a sudden Watford are camped in the Southampton half looking for a quick equaliser.

Riley blows for half time. The gulf in class between the Premier League and the First Division is there for all to see. Although there's only been one goal Southampton have been pressing Watford all half and the Hornets have had little response to the pressure.

Unless Watford can find a way to cancel out Saints' excellent wing play and press forward to create some openings of their own it seems that Southampton will be meeting Arsenal in the FA Cup Final next month.

Back under way at Villa Park, 45 mintues between one of these two teams and the FA Cup Final.

A teaasing cross from Fernandes is turned out for a corner by Watford's Marcus Gayle.

The corner is celared but soon pumped back in, Beattie with a fantastic cross, but Anders Svensson fails to get enough on it to trouble Chamberlain.

A brisk counter attack from the Hornets, but Jones is down early to smother ball and end the danger. A lively opening to the second half!

Watford are determined to make a game of it and are pressing for the equaliser.

So keen is Chopra that he earns himself a word from the ref - another tackle like that and it'll be a booking.

Oakley and Marsden link up well for Saints but fail to find a killer ball and Watford break.

The pressure from Watford is building and they are starting to find good positions.

Helguson will be subbed if he wastes too many more chances like that. With two men in the box he opts to shoot rather than cross from the tright and its out for a Southampton goal kick.

A chance goes begging for Watford. Chopra and Ardley link up to provide Micah Hyde with a shooting chance but his shot is out of play and a corner is given.

A change for the Hornets. Allan Nielsen on for Paulo Vernazza.

Watord's Paul Robinson recieves his fifteenth booking of the season for a needless hack on Fernandes - if his team get to the final he'll be suspended.

Ormerod jinks and turns in the Watfrod box but he can't get through all the defenders and he loses out to Cox.

Beattie gives the ball to Fernandes and he races towards goal. Fernandes decides to lay the ball on the floor for Ormerod rather than shoot himself - the pass is behind his team mate and the chance goes begging.

Claus Lundekvam and Marsden called into action in the Southampton defence as Watford continue to fight.

Strachan looks nervous on the sidelines as Watford threaten.

A great deep cross form results in a Glass header which is tipped over by Saints 'keeper Jones.

The tame corner results in a clearance, but Watford gather again in midfield.

Southampton are begining to find holding the ball is difficult as Watford chase players down and tackles snap in. Good hunger from Watford.

No love lost between Glass and Fernandes - Riley steps in to maintain order.

Beattie forces a corner for Saints.

Fernandes takes and Anders Svensson connects with a ludicrous volley which flies out. Silly. A wasted opportunity to extend the lead.

Nielsen crunches into Anders Svensson just inside the Watford half. Saints lump in the free kick, but there is little thought behind the cross and Chamberlain gathers.

Southampton have been under pressure this half but have failed to take the few chances that have presented themselves and not used the ball as well as they could - will they come to rue these wasted opportunites.

Another Watford substitution. Chopra makes way for Tommy Smith.

Fernandes goes into the book for a late tackle from behind on Robinson.

Neilsen's long throw nearly finds Smith, but its hacked away.

Beattie has played well throughout the match for Saints and shown energy and enthusiasm tracking back to help out his team mates - obviously keen to grab the attention of Sven Goran Eriksson.

The match has calmed with both sides seemingly paying the price of that frenetic opening to the half.

Glass and Neilsen thread the ball to Ardley as Watford press. A good spell of possesion from Watford, but Lundekvam clears.

Marsden showing some inventive touches down the left hand side for Saints, but the Hornets clear.

Glass is substituted for Lee Cook.

Saints make a change: Rory Delap comes on for Anders Svensson.

Goal for Southampton!!

Beattie appears to be claiming it, but it could have been turned in by Robinson of an O.G.

Watford were caught in possession on the half way line and Ormerod burst down the left and then delivered a cross which Beattie and Robinson bundled over the line.

Marsden throwing himself around, scrapping and clawing to try and kill the game with a third Saints goal.

Southampton's travelling support are roaring their approval and making travelling plans for their trip to Cardiff.

Chamberlain sends a huge goal kick towards his opposite number, but no-one for Watford can get a touch and Jones gathers.

Beattie is down and recieving treatment on the pitch after being clattered by Robinson.

Neat play from Telfer and Ormerod as Southampton hunt for the thrid.

Free kick for Watford 40 yards from goal. Cox sends the ball in as Watford desperatly try to grab something.

Corner for Watford, and there's a goal!!

Marcus Gayle leaps high to connect with Ardley's corner and there is a glimmer of hope for Watford. Game on!

From being down and out Watford are now in with a shout and the team are pressing.

A sloppy back pass almost lets in Tommy Smith - nervous stuff from Saints!

Strachan and most of the Southampton fans are chewing fingernails.

Sub Delap storms through for Southampton but is judged to have fouled.

The fourth offical informs us of 3minutes of injury time.

Good defending from Bridge unleashes Fernandes who gallops forward and is robbed - he should surely have just held the ball up!

Whistles fill the ground as the Saints are willed on! Watford look beaten...

Strachan uses up some time by bring on a sub. Jo Tessem repalces Ormerod.

Smith tries to unleash a shot, but is blocked and Riley blows the full time whistle!

Southampton deserving winners at Villa Park. While Watford fought valiantly in the second half the First Division outfit were ultimately let down by their performance in the first 45 minutes.

Southampton and holders Arsenal will travel to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium on May 17 to contest the FA Cup Final, in another all Premiership affair.