Under-21s bow out of the Premier League Cup
Defeat away at Ipswich this afternoon ended Watford’s interest in this season’s Under-21 Premier League Cup.
The home side’s 4-2 win was enough for them to progress as the second-placed team in Group F behind Cardiff.
The Hornets led a very topsy-turvy group at one stage but needed to win in Suffolk to go through, and as a result of the defeat they finished bottom.
After going a goal behind in just the ninth minute, Watford levelled up two minutes when Raul Vancea won the ball and then sent Zak Fraser-Grante through to finish with confidence.
Zavier Massiah-Edwards went close to putting the Hornets in front but the home side retook the lead after 26 minutes.
Alfie Marriott denied the hosts a third before Amar Sanghrajka set up Tobi Adeyemo, but the striker fired wide.
The home side did net a third, though, midway through the second half.
Substitute Jonathan Lawson had an opportunity to pull one back with just over 10 minutes to go but was denied by a save from the Tractor Boys keeper, though shortly afterwards Watford did make it 3-2 when Lawson had another effort parried and fellow sub Dickson Okosun followed up to score.
However, any hope of a revival was extinguished in the 86th minute when Ipswich scored again to make it 4-2.
The Under-21s travel to face Colchester United this Friday (7pm) in a Premier League Development League South game.
Watford: Marriott; Eames, Vancea, Sikiru, Clarridge, Mullins, Fraser-Grante (Lawson 60), Sanghrajka (Garcia-Romero 70), Adeyemo (Abbot 60), Massiah-Edwards, Keyes (Okosun 60). Unused sub: Ortelli
• Watford Under-18s host Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road in the FA Youth Cup fifth round next Thursday (February 13).
The game will kick-off at 7pm as the young Hornets look to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Matt Bevans’ Under-18s have already progressed through the third and fourth rounds to earn the game with the North London side.
In the third round they beat Oxford 2-1 at Kings Langley FC thanks to an instinctive strike from Kash Odiase.
Then, in the fourth round, Amin Nabizada netted twice as the Hornets were impressive 4-1 winners against Crewe at the Orbital Fasteners Stadium.
Tickets for the tie are currently on sale, and admission is free if you are a season ticket holder.
Fans can get their tickets from tickets.watfordfc.com, over the phone on 01923 223023 and in-person at the Supporter Services & Ticketing Office at Vicarage Road.
Watford season ticket holders can attend for free, but their seats will need to be pre-booked.
Adult tickets are priced at £5 and those aged 18 & under can secure their seat for £1, with all seating reserved in the Sir Elton John Stand.
