WATFORD'S under 18s side went down 3-1 in their opening fixture of the 2008/09 season as they made the long journey north to face Middlesbrough.

After travelling the day before, the Hornets were caught in the bank holiday traffic and had to endure the best part of a seven hour journey.

They then faced one of the most respected Academy teams without the services of second year scholar Rob Kiernan, who missed out with an injury, which also forced his withdrawal from the Republic of Ireland squad.

The Hornets were also missing promising second year scholar Ross Jenkins as he was with the first-team at Nottingham Forest, after his encouraging pre-season and early term form.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the under 18s as despite plenty of possession and neat forward play, they couldn't produce the end product in front of goal. However it will have taught them the harsh realities of life in the Academy Premier League and what they can expect this coming campaign. 

A young starting XI featuring six first year scholars were outdone by Dave Parnaby's men at Rockliffe Park.

Boro were 2-0 up by half time as they firstly took the lead on 12 minutes through a Gary Martin spot kick after a late challenge just inside the penalty box.

The second goal came from James Cronesberry as he lashed a shot home past Watford's Hungarian goalkeeper Bo Antal.

The Golden Boys managed to half the lead through a Marvin Sordell strike but defender James Gray restored the two goal advantage.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2): Steele; Shead, Robinson, Corker (c), Weldon; Furness, Oliver (Hawkins 68), Gray, Otte (Sellars 45); Cronesberry, Martin. Subs not used: Filler (gk), White.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Antal; Hodson, Oshodi (c), Lavers, Angus; Bryan, Brooks, Whichelow, Gibson; Sordell, Mingoia. Subs: Yiadom, North (gk), Otshudi, Penny.

GOALS: MIDDLESBROUGH; Martin, Cronesberry, Gray. WATFORD; Sordell.

LET WATFORD BE THE PERFECT HOST