WATFORD'S Academy side drew 4-4 with MK Dons on Saturday (11 October), after the visitors produced a tremendous comeback as they overturned a three goal half time deficit.

Some of the walking wounded returned for the under 18s with Theo Angus and Cole Penny starting after illness and injury. Schoolboy Faisal Hemati slotted in at centre half alongside captain Rob Kiernan, who recently committed his future to the Golden Boys.

There was still no Eddie Oshodi, Billy Gibson, Piero Mingoia and Louis Lavers - all out with injuries.

On an overcast morning at London Colney, Watford produced a powerful first half performance which left the visitors with a mountain to climb.

Michael Bryan set the tone early on with a strong, driving run from the wing, he cut in from the left but there was no one in the box to connect with his ball in.

With 12 minutes on the clock the 'Orns took the lead thanks to the in-form Marvin Sordell. The striker has been a revelation so far this season and he notched his fifth of the campaign.

Sordell completed a one-two with Matthew Whichelow and fired a low, hard shot into the bottom corner, leaving Kurt Fox with no chance. It was a great strike from a young player in form showing plenty of confidence.

Then schoolboy Gavin Massey saw his effort blocked from within the penalty box as the onslaught continued.

The inexperienced front man should have then notched the second of the game as Bryan hit the by-line and slid the ball back, unfortunately Massey couldn't keep his composure as he blasted wide from a great position.

Full back Andy Yiadom was another player who continued his promising start to the season. Despite his small frame, he fought for, and often won the ball, from his larger opponents.

He was galloping forward too from right back, and linked up well with Sordell but no one was there for his pinpoint ball into the box.

At the other end Welsh 'keeper Jonathan North was alert to a rare chance when he saved low down to deny MK Dons' Daniel Powell, who was a big, strong front player.

With half an hour on the clock the Golden Boys doubled their lead, Bryan finished the move off which was a well-worked training ground routine.

A short free kick was taken to Sordell who looked set to shoot. Catching the defence off-guard, he slid a delicate ball through to Bryan who didn't need asking twice as he drilled the ball home from the right hand side of the penalty box.

Sordell: Promising start to the season

Bryan then turned provider as he fed Sordell but his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.

The chances continued to rain in on Fox's goal, with Whichelow seeing his shot blocked and Sordell's drive hitting the post.

The third was added just before the stroke of half time when Bryan grabbed his second, driving forward down the centre of the pitch he switched the ball to his left foot and struck a shot past Fox from the edge of the box.

It rounded off a convincing first half display and the game looked to be wrapped up, but the visitors showed plenty of character and came right back into the game after the interval.

The early pressure was all from Watford as Angus and Kurtney Brooks tried their luck but MK Dons got their first just before the hour mark to start a busy last half an hour.

Charlie Collins got his first of the match as he lifted the ball over North after the 'Orns should have really done better to clear their lines.

Captain Kiernan then hit a fiercely struck free kick for the home side but Fox was equal to it.

MK Dons were now playing an attacking line-up to put further pressure on the Hornets and soon it worked.

On 68 minutes they got their second and Collins' second of the match. He produced a terrific finish, getting on the end of a long ball to outpace Kiernan, before flashing a bullet shot in past the unfortunate North.

The home side then had a small flurry of chances but couldn't convert to see off their fighting opponents.

Sub Fabrice Otshudi and Brooks both had chances with one drive deflected wide for a corner.

The equalising goal came on 77 minutes as Daniel Powell's strong run was rewarded with a goal as he fought off a number of challenges.

The game had now turned on its head and Watford were on the ropes. However they found some strength to produced a remarkable goal to take the lead.

Sub schoolboy Chez Isaac grabbed his first ever goal at this level as his outstretched leg connected with Sordell's inviting cross from a matter of yards out

However the action wasn't over and there was time for one more goal. North produced a good save from Tom Flanagan at a corner but he was beaten when Collins notched his hat-trick.

Daniel Delderfield headed the ball down and Collins' boot hooked the ball over the line from close range.

It was a remarkable eight goal thriller at London Colney and credit should be given to the visitors for their spirited comeback. Some of Watford's attacking play was a delight to watch but there will be a post-mortem to find out how and why they lost hold of a game they were in control of.

The under 18 team are next in action away to Bristol City on Saturday 18 October.
 
WATFORD: North; Yiadom, Kiernan (c), Hemati, Angus (Fenwick 83); Bryan, Brooks, Penny (Isaac 73), Whichelow; Sordell, Massey (Otshudi 59). Subs not used: Antal (gk).

MK DONS: Fox; Williams, King (c), Flanagan, Chicksen (England 73); Collins, M Powell, Dowling, Farden (Carter 56); D Powell, Delderfield. Subs not used: Glass, O'Hanlon, Holmes.

SCORERS: WATFORD; Sordell (12), Bryan (30, 42), Isaac (80). MK DONS; Collins (57, 68, 90+4), Powell (79).

REFEREE: Mr A Gillett.

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