WATFORD's under 18s stormed to a terrific victory over Huddersfield Town at London Colney yesterday (Saturday) as they came from behind to dispatch the Terriers by five goals to two.

Mark Warburton's side was forced to delay kick off as the visitors were delayed in the weekend traffic but once the match did get underway it didn't start well for the 'Orns.

In glorious sunshine at London Colney, Town were one up within 10 minutes as Welsh goalkeeper Jonathan North was judged to have brought down an attacker inside the penalty area.

Just moments earlier he had made a cracking save from striker James Spencer - North then did well to save Spencer Harris' spot kick, but the Town captain followed up and smashed the ball home from a matter of yards out to give the visitors the lead.

The Hornets fielded a make-shift back four as they were without the services of Eddie Oshodi who was away with England under 17s.

Therefore Lee Hodson moved to centre half alongside Louis Lavers, himself naturally a left sided full back. Theo Angus played at left back while special praise should go to Andy Yiadom for a sterling performance at right back.

The diminutive player is normally an attacking outlet for the 'Orns but he stepped in and did well in a more defensive role, getting forward when he could, including unleashing a terrific drive that smashed Town's woodwork during the second half.

Following the early setback Watford had to raise their game to produce their first win of the season.

Michael Bryan hit the post after striker Marvin Sordell put in a splendid ball to the six yard area but somehow Bryan's shot across goal didn't go in.

Just before the 20 minute mark the home side were back in the game and this provided the springboard for the attacking intentions of the rest of the game.

Bryan was twice brought down in the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Captain for the day Billy Gibson stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Three of the best for captain Billy Gibson

Then four minutes later Sordell slotted home to give the 'Orns the lead. Sordell looked lively throughout and looks to have matured as a player over the summer.

He finished from close range after a ball in from the left flank.

On 31 minutes the Hornets added another with winger Gibson grabbing his second - he unleashed a tremendous strike after cutting in from the right hand flank and twisting and turning the defender.

The Terriers didn't just lie down though as they gave themselves a fighting chance four minutes later as Spencer fired past North after the Golden Boys gave the ball away cheaply in midfield.

For a moment it looked like the referee was going to award the third spot kick of the game in the 39th minute, but instead he booked Dave Heagney for diving in the penalty area, after again the 'Orns had lost possession in midfield.

Heagney then saw his shot well saved by North on the stroke of half time.

The visitors made three substitutions at half time to try and improve their fortunes during the second half.

But it was Watford who added the next goal and their fourth of the match just after the hour mark.

Tricky Piero Mingoia deserves all the credit for his determination as he won the ball from the powerful Harris and he cut inside and curled a lovely strike past goalkeeper Damien Eastham. It was a super bit of play and was deserving of his running throughout the game.

The Hornets should have really had the opportunity to add a fifth on 79 minutes but the assistant referee wrongly raised his flag for an offside decision when in fact the on-rushing Mingoia was onside while sub Fabrice Otshudi wasn't interfering with play.

Piero Mingoia: Deserved his goal for a hard working performance

However the under 18s stuck to their guns and were shortly rewarded. Yiadom pushed up into midfielder following the introduction of Adam Thompson, for his first ever appearance at this level.

Yiadom hit the bar before Otshudi's effort was well saved by Eastham in the Town goal.

Then with five minutes remaining Lewis Nightingale hit Watford's bar with a well rehearsed free kick.

It was another set play a minute later that handed Gibson his hat-trick as his cheeky quick free kick caught the visitors off-guard as the ball sailed into the net.

Despite the claims and protests from Huddersfield the referee let the strike stand and this finished off a terrific afternoon in front of goal for the 'Orns.

The Academy are next in action next Saturday away to Norwich City.
  
WATFORD (4-4-2): North; Yiadom, Hodson, Lavers, Angus; Bryan, Brooks, Whichelow (Thompson 73), Gibson (c); Mingoia, Sordell (Otshudi 63). Subs not used: Bond (gk).

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (4-4-2): Eastham; Pickering, Harris (c), Collinson, Ridehalgh; Nightingale, Franks, Williams, Brook; Heagney, Spencer. Subs used: Barlow, Hunt, Durham. Subs not used: Atkinson, Pert.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. HUDDERSFIELD TOWN; Heagney (simulation 39).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. HUDDERSFIELD TOWN; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Gibson (18 pen, 31, 86), Sordell (22), Mingoia (63). HUDDERSFIELD TOWN; Harris (9 pen), Spencer (35).

REFEREE: P Faithful.

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