THE Hornets picked up a point as they drew 1-1 in an entertaining clash with Reading at London Colney on Saturday morning.

Watford under 18s were bright throughout and the management will be pleased with the way the young side attacked the game and more than matched their elder opposition.

As seems to be the case at the moment, Watford's under 18s side gets younger by the week.

It was a patched-up team for the Hornets with Kieron Forbes being the only second year scholar involved. Midfielder Ross Jenkins was called upon to fill in at centre half alongside England under 16 international Eddie Oshodi.

Hungarian goalkeeper Botond Antal made his debut after coming on as a second half substitute for injured 'keeper Jonathan North.

The Golden Boys made a terrific start to the game with full back Lee Hodson's cross hitting the woodwork with only a minute gone.

Under 16s midfielder Kurtney Brooks made a solid start to the game, covering plenty of ground and offering protection in front of the defence - something he continued to do for the whole 90 minutes.

Improving midfielder Michael Bryan then saw his shot deflected wide for a corner before Forbes' penalty box cross was intercepted before it could reach Robert Edkins.

With 31 minutes gone, the Royals nearly opened the scoring after defender Patrick Cox headed over the bar. The pressure continued from the visitors before the break with North saving well from striker Mitchell Bryant and Jenkins clearing the danger from near the goalmouth.

Just before the break Forbes made a trademark surging run, held off two challenges but his rasping drive just fizzled over the bar.

Then winger Billy Gibson tried his luck with a low drive but his shot was well held by the goalkeeper - his next effort was even closer as a powerful effort crashed back off the bar.

Just two minutes after the break, Bryan opened the scoring for the Hornets. After a tidy pass from Edkins the young midfielder kept his composure and neatly struck past Ross Kilteridge into the bottom of the net.

The Royals started to edge their way back with two headers flying over the bar before North was called into action to save from Gylfi Sigurdsson - tipping his effort onto the post.

The efforts continued to rain in once North left the field with Kelvin Bossman and Gary Frewin sending shots over the bar.

Under 18s debut for Antal

Eventually the equaliser came on 70 minutes when substitute Nicholas Bignall took advantage of a mistake from Oshodi before firing home past Antal.

There was still time for more drama as Forbes' strong run and shot was saved before Sigurdsson hit the woodwork for the Royals with a well placed shot from outside the box.

The visitors could have won it with just a few minutes remaining when a back pass fell short to Antal, but luckily for the Hornets the resulting shot went wide of the post.

Sigurdsson then sent a free kick just wide of Antal's post but the Hornets held on despite late pressure from the Royals.

All in all, it was an entertaining game and considering the age of Watford's under 18s, they competed well and can take plenty of encouragement from their performance.
  
WATFORD: North (Antal 60); Hodson, Lavers, Jenkins, Oshodi; Brooks, Bryan, Kiernan, Gibson; Edkins, Forbes. Subs not used: Mingoia, Whichelow, Otshudi, Angus.

SCORER: Bryan (47).

READING: Kilteridge; Spence, Kelly, Cox, Hateley (c); Mitchell, Lyjkov, Sigurdsson, Frewin; Bryant (Bignall 50), Bossman (Radeslaw 72). Subs not used: Illuguson, Webb, Bagley.

SCORER: Bignall (70).

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