WATFORD overcame Liverpool at Anfield this evening (Monday) as a single strike won this FA Youth Cup fifth round tie, sponsored by E.ON.
Piero Mingoia was the youngster who struck for the Hornets as the second year scholar converted a first-half penalty at The Kop end.
In a game of few chances the 'Orns stuck to their game plan and frustrated Liverpool for the most part.
The first half was a slow period overall but the Golden Boys went in at the break 1-0 up.
Watford were well disciplined throughout and kept their shape and stopped the Reds playing.
In the 10 minute Mingoia fizzed a ball into the box from a free kick on the left after Andy Yiadom had been brought down. Unfortunately for the 'Orns they couldn't test Deale Chamberlain in the Liverpool goal.
A minute late Watford 'keeper Jonathan Bond couldn't get to the ball from a corner but Michael Ngoo's effort was blocked accidently but one of his own players.
The Golden Boys took the lead in the 17 minute after captain Eddie Oshodi clashed with Stephen Sama in the penalty box and referee Mr Bristow pointed to the penalty box.
Mingoia stepped up and coolly slotted past Chamberlain at The Kop end to put the visitors in front.
Gavin Massey looked lively in attack for the Hornets and after out-stripping his marker for pace he pulled the ball back from the by-line but sadly he couldn't get enough power in the drawback and the Reds cleared their lines for a corner kick.
From the resulting kick Watford forced another one after Oshodi's header was deflected.
Kristjan Emilsson saw his goal bound shot blocked for the home side as Bond's defence stood firm.
Lauri Dalla Valle had Liverpool's best effort during the first half in the 36 minute as he smashed a shot wide of Bond's post.
Liverpool made two changes at the break and not surprisingly came out strongly and put the Hornets under some pressure as they chased the game.
But the youngsters stood strong and grew in confidence as the Reds' second half surge deflated somewhat.
On 64 minutes Dalla Valle's free kick was deflected wide of the Watford net after Yiadom committed a foul on the edge of the area.
Substitute Chez Isaac blasted over from a great position inside the area a minute later after a corner kick.
Isaac had entered the fray minutes earlier in place of Cole Penny who had put in a solid, disciplined display in the heart of Watford's midfield alongside Kurtney Brooks.
On 67 minutes Matty Whichelow hit the side netting after a terrible mistake in the home defence.
Massey set Whichelow free on the right and Chamberlain turned the ball behind with a great save.
On 75 minutes schoolboy Sean Murray launched an ambitious shot that eventually sailed over Chamberlain's bar from a fair distance out.
Whichelow flashed a drive wide of the Liverpool net in the 78 minute as he came into the game as more holes appeared in the home defence.
Liverpool had a header which went narrowly wide during the last five minutes as the Reds stepped up the pressure.
Watford's back four had to soak up plenty of pressure but managed to keep their clean sheet.
Liverpool had a goal disallowed in time added on and it was no doubt a nervy period for the Watford players as they glanced over at the assistant referee.
But, the Golden Boys held on for a fantastic victory in the north west and they will now meet Chelsea at Vicarage Road in the next round.
WATFORD: Bond; Yiadom, Fenwick, Oshodi (c), Angus (Thompson 90+2); Whichelow, Penny (Isaac 61), Brooks, Mingoia; Murray (Warburton 77), Massey. Subs not used: Irving (gk), Otshudi.
SCORERS: Mingoia (17)
BOOKINGS: Yiadom (ungentlemanly conduct 60), Warburton (professional foul 79).
SENDINGS OFF: none.
REFEREE: Mr Bristow.
