WATFORD'S under 18s were pegged back by Cardiff City on Saturday morning - after taking a two goal lead they ended up drawing the game 2-2.

The Hornets were full of confidence going into the match after picking up their first win of the year the previous weekend away at Birmingham.

Watford's Academy side already had the upper hand over Cardiff after picking up three points in the return fixture back in October.

Centre half Aaron Beech was captain, deputising for Dale Bennett, who is on loan at Wealdstone with striker Liam Henderson.

The young Hornets were also boosted by the presence of second year scholar Ewan Clarke, after a long injury lay-off, he started in attack alongside Lewis Young.

It was the home side who started like a whirlwind and soon found themselves two goals to the good.

Young kept his nerve to calmly convert a spot kick and then wide man Billy Gibson saw his shot nestling in the net with less than ten minutes on the clock. They could have added to that score but were unable to find the all decisive third goal.

The Bluebirds took time to settle and recover after shipping two early strikes. With just over half an hour on the clock they started their comeback.

Watford's Hungarian 'keeper Bo Antal made an ambitious effort to collect a high ball that was flung into the penalty box, after missing the initial effort, the first shot was blocked by the crowd of bodies but Cardiff's Craig Mason didn't make any mistake with the second and his drive was lashed home.

The pressure started to build on the Watford defence as Antal was being called into action. Then the visitors added a second through a fine strike from Jonathon Meades from the edge of the penalty box which flew into the top corner of the net.  

After the break Meades went close for the visitors and Antal reacted well and blocked another effort.

Young did his best to regain the lead for the youngsters when he controlled Gibson's cross, with his back to goal he switched the ball between his feet and turned but shot over the bar.

Piero Mingoia had a low shot saved and substitute Rob Kiernan also saw his effort sail just wide.

Neither side could add to those four first half goals and the young Hornets were punished for taking their foot off the gas after such a promising start to the game a windy London Colney.  

*Bennett and Henderson were once again in action for Wealdstone as the Stones went down at home to Chelmsford City. Centre half Bennett was named man of the match.

WATFORD: Antal, Hodson, Angus, Beech (c), Oshodi; Jenkins, Gibson, Forbes, Mingoia; Clarke (Kiernan 45), Young.

SCORERS: Young (4), Gibson (8).

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