WATFORD reserves drew 1-1 with Charlton Athletic at Boreham Wood this evening with a goal in either half.

The visitors went ahead nine minutes before the break through Danny Uchechi - but the Golden Boys drew equal with 20 minutes left on the clock. Alex Campana had the simple task of tapping home from a few yards out after excellent work from Moses Ashikodi and Steve Kabba.

The Hornets welcomed back Jordan Parkes after injury and the 18-year-old played his first 45 minutes since recovering from a fractured metatarsal. Matt Jackson was captain for the evening and his experience was telling throughout as he vocally coached the players on the pitch.

Kabba was another experienced face in the starting line-up and the ex-Sheffield United man worked tirelessly throughout, helping out his younger colleagues and tracking back whenever needed.

The Golden Boys had a couple of early half chances with young striker Liam Henderson blasting over the bar and then spectacularly trying an overhead kick which went narrowly wide. This followed good work and a fine ball in from first year scholar Ross Jenkins, who was right back for the evening.

Charlton had a young side with a number of quick players and they looked dangerous on the break. 

Parkes was needed to clear from a goal-bound shot after the Addicks broke quickly and got the better of Cedric Avinel after he slipped in the area. The Hornets cleared the initial danger but it was luckily Parkes held back near the line to clear another shot that came in from Charlton.

The visitors took the lead with nine minutes remaining until the break. A long cross-field ball found Danny Uchechi, he got the right side of his man, quickly controlled and fired past Ian Royce.

Half time: Watford Res 0 Charlton Athletic Res 0

The Watford second string started to try and test Robert Elliot in the Charlton goal with Kabba dragging an effort wide and Campana firing wide of the post after an encouraging run.

Avinel then continued the pressure with a header from a free kick after Campana was dragged down.

The equaliser was scored by the Academy graduate as he finished off a quick-fire move. The Hornets won the ball from a Charlton throw-in and they broke quickly and finished with deadly precision.

Kabba and substitute Ashikodi linked up together showing their strength and pace  - a quick cross in from the by-line was turned into the net by Campana with Elliot trying his best to get close to the ball.

It was a deserved equaliser and eventually a draw was a fair reflection of the periods of possession in the clash.

Ian Joyce was called into making two quick-fire saves after the goal - holding well from Uchechi and saving from Martin Christensen at his near post.

Douglas Rinaldi had the final touch of the game for Watford as his header went over the bar following a good delivery into the box.

All in all a worthwhile exercise for the Hornets' second string, providing much needed fitness and match practice for Parkes and Ashikodi and delivering a real match atmosphere that the players need to keep them ticking over.

Watford reserves are next in action on Monday evening (12th November) at Boreham Wood FC - kick off is 7.00pm - the opposition will be Brighton & Hove Albion.   

WATFORD (4-4-2): Joyce; Jenkins, Parkes (Bennett 45), Jackson, Avinel; Rinadi, Campana, Aloi, McNamee (Gibson 50); Kabba, Henderson (Ashikodi 56). Subs not used: North (GK), Kiernan.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Elliot; Long, Solly, Sankofa, Thomas; Stavrinou, Christensen, Yusseff, Lozano-Calderon (O'Shea 83); Wagstaff, Uchechi. Subs: Harkin, Woolley (GK). Clark, Godfrey.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Campana (70). CHARLTON ATHLETIC; Uchechi (36).

REFEREE: Mr J Farries.