MISSED opportunities and some debatable decisions going against the home side cost the Golden Boys dearly as Bristol City snatched the points on a breezy morning at London Colney on Saturday (21 November) morning.

It was the Watford boys who carved out the first opportunity just minutes in when Billy Gibson regained possession and clipped in a ball to the far post, only for Piero Mingoia to stab at the ball with his wrong foot and shoot wide.

Mingoia had the beating of his man down the left moments later as he struck a cross shot that was too hot to handle, sadly no one was able to convert the chance as the 'keeper spilled the ball in a dangerous area.

Just five minutes in, against the run of play City took the lead, when a clumsy tackle on the edge of the box gave the referee no choice but to award a penalty.

With few complaints from the Hornets, the spot kick was converted past Jamie Irving in the home goal.

Watford were quickly on the front foot after a superb break involving Mingoia, Gibson and Matty Whichelow saw the latter strike a defected shot narrowly over the bar.

Whichelow would prove the catalyst in getting the 'Orns back on level terms.

With just nine minutes on the clock, Whichelow made a delightful turn in midfield taking out two Bristol players.

He drove forward and cut into the box, striking a shot that was deflected to Fabrice Otshudi.

As the 'keeper came to smother the first shot, the ball wriggled past him and left Otshudi with the simplest of tasks with an empty net at his mercy.

Otshudi

The goal was the least Watford deserved as they dominated the early proceedings of the match.

Gibson had a cross cleared off the line soon after, Otshudi and Mingoia combined moments later, only for some last gasp defending to deny skipper Mingoia a goal his early play deserved.

Watford would pay for not converting one of their early chances as the referee's decision went against them for the second goal. As the visitors broke forward, Faisal Hemati made a fine sliding tackle on the edge of the area, sadly the officials felt otherwise, and from the resulting free-kick City made it 2-1.

The Golden Boys responded well to the goal five minutes later when they were back creating chances. Cole Penny released Gibson on the wing, who found Whichelow with his cross and the forward struck a curling shot the Bristol 'keeper did well to save.

The game finally settled down a minute before the half time whistle, it was the linesman who caused the next talking point.

A long ball was hoisted over the top, the linesman failed to give offside, and the Bristol boys took a 3-1 lead going into the half.

Despite the goal, Watford opened the second half much the same way they had started the match, and four minutes in Gibson got the goal to bring the Hornets back into the game.

Gibson scored Watford's second of the game

With Watford pushing forward for the equaliser, a long ball over the top caught out the back line and Adam Thompson brought down his man for the second penalty of the match.

This time Irving rescued his defender by making a brilliant double save to keep the game alive and the Hornets in with a fighting chance of at least a point.

Gibson would have the final chance for the Hornets, but the penalty miss seemed to spur the visitors into life.

The Golden Boys couldn't break down the opposition to carve out that clear cut chance to turn the game and with 15 minutes to go, Bristol struck the final nail in the coffin to take a two goal lead and put the game out of reach.

To their credit the Academy boys fought until the end, desperately trying to get themselves back in the match, but they just didn't get the breaks the first half performance deserved.

City played much better in the second half, but for Mark Warburton and his men, the defeat was one that will surely sting but will no doubt drive his squad on to bigger and better things in the future.

WATFORD: Irving; Thompson, Fenwick (Yiadom 46), Hemati, Angus; Gibson, Penny (Massey 61), Warburton, Mingoia (c); Otshudi (Isaac 46), Whichelow. Subs: Bond (gk), Rosier.

SCORERS: Otshudi (10), Gibson (49).

Article by Matthew Pearson.

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