WATFORD Academy will face Ipswich in the Fourth Round of the FA Youth Cup after coming from a goal behind to beat Scunthorpe at Glanford Park this evening (Tuesday).
The Irons took the lead two minutes after the interval thanks to a strike from Jamie Gyoury-Hales after a mix-up in the Watford defence. It was more than the home side deserved after dominating large parts of the game in freezing conditions.
However the Hornets weathered the storm and showed great character to come from behind.
Liam Henderson, who worked tirelessly throughout the game, won a free kick down by the touchline.
Lewis Young took a well-executed free kick and centre half Aaron Beech was there to nod past Craig Turner.
Then with 10 minutes remaining substitute Marvin Sordell slotted a ball through to Henderson and he finished the move off by firing past the diving goalkeeper which sent the Watford players into wild celebrations down by the touchline.
It was a miraculous turnaround for the Golden Boys after they had been under pressure for many periods during the game and didn't get into their stride at all in the first half.
Scunthorpe had a strong, physical side while the 'Orns were again young with three under 16s in their starting 11. However they were boosted by the return to full fitness of Young and Beech, both second year scholars, who have been missing for the majority of the season.
Goalkeeper Jonathan North can take a lot of credit as well for the saves he pulled off. On 20 minutes he tipped a shot from Scunthorpe striker Joel Barnett behind for a corner.
Then 12 minutes later he pulled off a top-class save when he dived to save from defender Niall Canavan who had been up in attack for a set piece. North first saved from the flick-on from the free kick and then saved Canavan's follow-up shot.
The Hornets had few chances before the break with Henderson having a long shot blasted wide and then the striker couldn't keep the ball in play after guiding the ball past the goalkeeper.
Once Scunthorpe scored the first there looked to be no way back for the youngsters but two goals in ten minutes turned the game on its head and showed the character and fighting spirit they have within the camp.
Not the greatest performance, but the Golden Boys go marching on in the FA Youth Cup to the next round where they will have to improve their performance to beat the Tractor Boys.
WATFORD (4-4-2): North; Hodson, Angus, Beech, Bennett (c); Jenkins, Gibson (Sordell 68), Forbes, Mingoia; Henderson, Young. Subs not used: Kiernan, Antal, Maxwell, Brown.
SCUNTHORPE (4-4-2): Turner; Webster (Wright 88), Walton, Picton, Canavan; Bladen, Smith (Gibbons 83), Moxon (c), Porter; Barnett, Gyoury-Hales. Subs not used: Congreve, Pressman, Coleman.
BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Bennett (foul 59), Young (80). SCUNTHORPE; none.
SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. SCUNTHORPE; none.
GOALS: WATFORD; Beech (71), Henderson (80). SCUNTHORPE; Gyoury-Hales (47).
REFEREE: C AKERS.
