NEVER has the cliché 'a game of two halves' been more true as Cardiff City struck late on to deny Watford's Academy a deserved point.

In the wintry morning sunshine at London Colney, both sides started at a furious pace as the Golden Boys and the Bluebirds struggled to gain control of the match.

Matty Whichelow and Piero Mingoia were the first to link up, the latter fizzing a ball across the face of the six-yard box just out of the reach of Whichelow at the far post.

Midway through the half, Cardiff would carve out the first real chance of the match, a straight ball over the top would catch the Watford defence napping, only for Jamie Irving to react quickest and smother the ball as the Cardiff striker was through on goal.

The chance would then stir the home side into life, as they began to impose themselves on the visitors as the half drew to a close.

First Billy Gibson would link up with Whichelow from a throw in, Whichelow releasing Gibson in the channel allowing the winger to pick out Anthony Yiadom in the box.

Sadly he was unable to direct his header on target and work the 'keeper. The miss was a warning shot as with three minutes to go until the break, the Hornets took the lead.

As the play broke down in midfield, Watford managed to catch the Welshmen on the break.

With Whichelow picking the ball up he ran at the defence slipping the ball wide to Mingoia, as Whichelow continued his run, Mingoia picked him out just inside the area and the attacker finished with aplomb as he tucked the ball away in the corner.

The goal rocked the visitors as the Hornets went in to the interval leading, and they continued to pile on the pressure minutes in to the second half, as Mingoia picked out Gibson from the by-line, only for his team mate to strike wide.

Ten minutes into the second half and Cardiff would get themselves back in the match. First they went close from a header from a delightful in swinging corner, which was calmly run out of defence from the impressive Adam Fenwick in the Watford backline.

Sadly five minutes later and the scores were level. After a good move down the left a speculative ball picked out the Cardiff striker in the box and he out-jumped his man to nod home.

In a crazy 10 minute period, both sides had chances galore. Cardiff had the first as Adam Thompson made a great last ditch tackle to deny a one-on-one chance.

A minute later and Cardiff took the lead, with Watford unable to pick up the runners from midfield, the Cardiff front man laid the ball off to their skipper, who had burst through the home defence, leaving Irving with no chance.

The Watford boys showed great character and nearly exploited a poor goal kick from the Cardiff 'keeper, Gibson shooting low at the near post, only to be denied by a good save.

Minutes later and the scores were level. A great corner from Mingoia picked out Eddie Oshodi.

His header ricocheted out to Thompson, the defender then struck a great volley past the 'keeper and tied the game.

Substitute Gavin Massey would have the next chance, striking a rasping shot low to the keeper's right, only for the City stopper to pull off a superb save.

The Bluebirds would round off the bizarre ten minute spell as Yiadom was forced into a great block on the back post to deny another opportunity.

With the game finally settling down, it looked like a draw was on the cards, but with five minutes left and Watford pushing for the win, they were hit by a sucker punch.

As the ball was lost in midfield, Cardiff broke, leaving Fenwick in two minds as to close the ball or hold his position, left stranded the defender had no chance and as the ball was slipped through to the attacker, the forward rounded Irving and into the net for the winner.

It was a tough pill to swallow for Mark Warburton and his players, but a valuable lesson which can only help the development of the squad in the future.

WATFORD: Irving; Thompson, Hemati (Massey 46) (Otshudi 82), Oshodi, Fenwick; Yiadom, Warburton, Isaac (Greenhalgh 74), Gibson; Whichelow, Mingoia. Subs not used: Bonham (gk), Rosier,

SCORERS: Whichelow (43), Thompson (68).

Article by Matthew Pearson

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