ANYONE speaking to promising young 'keeper Scott Loach will find it hard to miss the fact his confidence is sky-high at present, and with a chance of starting against Darlington tomorrow (Tuesday) it'll need to be as the Hornets face a tough test at the Vic.

The rookie stopper is relishing the chance to prove what he can do in between the sticks for the 'Orns this season after a successful spell on loan at Bradford last term, and after keeping a clean sheet in the first round during his debut against Bristol Rovers.

Loach first of all reflected on what was a solid performance against the Pirates. He said: "We limited their chances and they weren't really in the game from the start."

Loach was originally sent out on loan in January last season to gain some vital match practice. A short spell at Morecambe was followed by a four month stint at Bradford, where he made 20 starts, helping City to a 10th placed finish.

He's clearly happy to be back in Hertfordshire however, learning plenty from Goalkeeper coach Alec Chamberlain and colleagues Mart Poom and Richard Lee.

Growing up as a Manchester United fan, Loach's obvious hero was legend Peter Schmeichel, however his close relationship with former Watford stopper Ben Foster has helped his development greatly.

"He's like a big brother to me," said Loach before going on to compare himself to the now budding United 'keeper. "We have a similar build, and similar frame, and I'd like to say that I'm a similar kind of 'keeper to him."

Foster has made a strong name for himself in English football, dating back to his excellent performances at Vicarage Road; picking up an England cap against Spain last year.

The progress that Foster made at Watford is something that Loach aspires to achieve, and he would no doubt love to follow in his footsteps, once the chance of regular first team football presents itself.

Looking ahead to the Darlington fixture, their loanee striker Billy Clarke from Ipswich scored the winner in the first round against Walsall, and is likely to be the main threat for the Quakers.

Despite that obvious threat though, Loach revealed that his preparation for each team doesn't vary all too much. "Preparing for corners and set pieces is different, but apart from that, you have to be on your toes for every game."

As with many younger professionals at Vicarage Road, the Carling Cup presents itself as a great opportunity to plant a seed in the mind of boss Aidy Boothroyd.

A positive performance will no doubt greatly improve their chances of a first team place should injury or suspension rear its head and a place needs filling in the side.

Loach said that he hopes a similar side is fielded against the League Two outfit, due to their previous strong performance. "We did very well [against Rovers] and we proved we can play, and hopefully I'll be picked."

When asked about any personal goals for the season, Loach spoke of his underlying ambition to challenge for the number one jersey and break into the first team.

His debut earlier this month has been a long time coming after signing for the club in June 2006 - he's had to be patient but he's hoping his chances will come soon.

The keeper was brought in by Boothroyd after impressing as a youngster at Lincoln City, and turned down a professional contract offered to him by the Imps in favour of joining the Hornets.

With plenty of experience around him, and heaps of ambition to pursue, its exciting times for Loach.

The Carling Cup seems to be the perfect stage for him to prove his worth, and if Watford can successfully overcome Darlington tomorrow, it will hopefully signal some more opportunities to pull on the jersey for the first team.

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