WATFORD'S second string provides an all-important stepping stone between youth and first team football and this season it is giving players opportunities at ever decreasing ages.

Two young Hornets have come in for special praise from Reserve team boss Malky Mackay, after their impressive showings at London Road against Peterborough last week.

Striker Marvin Sordell scored the winning goal and has produced the goods for the under 18s as well as the second string all season, while first year scholar Andy Yiadom made his debut for the reserves at the tender age of 16 after starting the campaign in fine form for the under 18s.

The two have been big players for Academy boss Mark Warburton's team this season and have been rewarded for their efforts with a chance with the second string, as well as occasional training sessions with the first team squad, and their talents have brought some encouraging words from first team gaffer Aidy Boothroyd too.

Mackay was in charge of Yiadom for the first time last week and was impressed with what he saw in the wide player.

He commented: "The reason he was playing was because he's applied himself at youth level - Andy came and trained with the first team before and accustomed himself very well.

"Andy had some nice comments said about him by the manager - as a player he has the heart of a lion, an appetite and an attitude to match.

"It doesn't hurt you in whatever walk of life you're in to have an enthusiasm - I was delighted for him."

Mackay recalled back to his own early player days and remembers what it felt like to receive some recognition for hard work - a nice boost in any walk of life, and football isn't any different.

Yiadom is small in stature but has impressed staff with his enthusiasm around the training ground and on the pitch.

Those who watch the under 18s will have seen him battling hard for the cause this season and often coming out winning challenges against those twice his size.

Mackay added: "It's about building blocks for these youngsters, the 16 and 17-year-olds - taking things step by step."

The Scotsman feels that attitude and their general demeanour is the base for any success or rewards.

He added: "They need to have the right attitude firstly, before talent being comes into it. They have to want to work everyday at training.

"There are plenty who would love to be professional footballers, they have been given a chance to be professional footballers, they need to show that application, attitude and a willingness to work everyday.

"That's what we try and impress upon them - they aren't hard things to have - they're just general traits of being a human being, add work rate and talent to that and they will get chances."

Meanwhile, front man Sordell has risen to the challenge this season. Once Lewis Young and Liam Henderson stepped up from the under 18s he has filled their boots with aplomb so far - hitting crucial goals.

The 17-year-old has netted eight goals in all competitions - a just reward for his hard work so far.

He too has risen to the challenge with the second string as Mackay explains.

"Marvin is someone who has really stepped up this year to the plate and has been one of the leaders, as far as I'm concerned for the reserves" said Mackay.

Sordell: In form

"He's applied himself every week, his talent has come through, he scores goals and causes central defenders problems.
 
"Marvin has added things to his own game by bringing people into play. His movement and tracking back has improved as has his physical impact, which I'm now seeing in his game as well as the goals. He now has to put it together on a consistent basis, because consistency is the key.

"I'm delighted for him, the way he's acting and applying himself. He got some nice comments from the manager, for a youngster like that to catch the manager's eye; he's got to be happy with that. But it's just the start, it's just a glimmer, he's got to continue applying himself like that."

Finally, despite praising the two young Golden Boys, the Scotsman felt the need to highlight the performance of Dale Bennett against The Posh.

The young professional defender was Mackay's man of the match. He said: "His winning of the ball, his general energy and all round challenges was very good.

"A couple of weeks ago, the carrot was dangled in front of him for the chance against West Ham in the Carling Cup, his standards haven't dropped since then and he's continued to work hard."

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