 Loach returned to Watford and made his debut in the 1–0 League Cup win over Bristol Rovers.He made his league debut as a substitute on 20 September 2008 when he came on to replace Mart Poom in the fourth minute of a match against Reading.Loach conceded his first Watford goal when the referee and linesman gave a goal instead of a corner, an incident described as a ghost goal.