Bouazza has Hornets buzzing

Watford boss Adrian Boothroyd was beaming after leading his side into The FA Cup Semi-Finals.

The Hornets had to dig deep after going ahead through Hamuer Bouazza's spectacular left foot strike after 22 minutes.

With the home side napping, Bouazza latched on to Steve Kabba's low cross before driving high into the Plymouth net from 18 yards.

But Ian Holloway's outfit battled back and only a series of superb saves from the outstanding Ben Foster ensured Watford's safe passage through to the last four.

Two stops were of the highest order - one to palm wide Kevin Gallen's free-kick as it curled towards the bottom corner, while the other was equally vital to the Hornets' cause, a block from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake.

The Championship side were a constant threat and only Danny Shittu's brave block denied Scott Sinclair a third FA Cup goal in as many games. Lilian Nalis, the Plymouth captain, also went close but it was to be Boothroyd's day.

"Credit to Plymouth as I thought they were excellent," said the victorious boss, before praising Foster and his resolute defence. "We defended resolutely and our keeper was great."

Boothroyd admitted his side's Cup form contrasts sharply with life in the Premier League.

"We haven't had much luck in the Premiership and thankfully we have got some luck in the FA Cup.

"I'm delighted as our fans and players have kept going in difficult times.

"Not winning that much in the season can take its toll but they have kept going and been resilient and I'm just delighted we are in the Semi-Finals.

"We are in the Semi-Final and it keeps our season bubbling along. It just keeps that effervescence going.

"I don't think The FA Cup is a distraction. The FA Cup has been kind to us so far and we've rode our luck a little bit and this game was no exception."

Plymouth manager Ian Holloway was philosophical in defeat.

"It's football, isn't it? We fall asleep from one corner and we're out The Cup. It's heartbreaking.

"Football's not fair, life's not fair, but you have to get on with it. I'm a loser and it's a very bitter feeling.

"We had a good chance to go through and some of Watford's defending was really fantastic, fair play to them. I just despise losing, I always have done.

"We gave a Premiership team a fright here and we need to look at things we did wrong and get them nailed down."