YOUNG Academy defender Dereece Vanderhyde has been experiencing the highs and lows of the Milk Cup tournament in Ireland this week.

Watford's Under 15 side are competing in the Junior section over the course of this week.

After scoring the opening goal in Monday's 1-0 win over County Down, the 15-year-old got two yellow cards and is now forced to miss the Hornets' game this against Dundalk Schoolboys this afternoon in Portrush (kick-off 5.00pm).

Vanderhyde spoke to www.watfordfc.com from Ireland today as he watched the team prepare for the encounter later on.

"The tournament as a whole is going better than expected for us" said the defender.

"We are pleased with our performances so far but we know we can still improve.

"There is more to come from us!"

The Academy player, who has been with Watford for three years, scored Watford's first goal of the competition on Monday against local side County Down and he told us that the visitors were determined to keep the home crowd quiet during the match.

"There was a big home crowd there but that didn't phase us" said the Enfield-born player.

"The game was slightly disjointed - purely from the nerves from the fact it was our first game and a big occasion. But we scored and that kept the home fans quiet!"

This is Vanderhyde's second year at the prestigious youth football tournament and he explained that he's been helping out some of the younger players in the team.

"It's a fanatic experience and great preparation for the season.

"You can learn so many things and progress a lot while you are out here.

"I want to be able to help the other younger members of the squad who haven't been out here before to have a better experience.

"But after my two yellow cards, I've experienced a bit of a learning curve myself.

"I'm really disappointed not be involved with the game later on, I feel like I've let the side down, but hopefully they can get a good result today."

Details of how Watford's Under 15 team get on will follow shortly here at www.watfordfc.com.