Watford exited the Under-18 Professional Development League Cup at the semi-final stage following a 2-0 defeat away to Swansea City.

Second-half strikes from Tom Woodward and Jacob Cook were enough to settle the last-four encounter, with the Hornets reduced to 10 men for the last 15 minutes following Amar Sanghrajka's straight red card.

Jonathan Lawson went closest for Watford with two early chances on a day the side lacked any real attacking threat.

On a damp afternoon in South Wales, it was the Swans who went closest to breaking the deadlock early-on.

Some good work down the left from Aimar Govea saw him pull the ball back for Sammy Henia-Kamau, but he could only direct his effort onto the post.

The Hornets soon had their first clear-cut chance of the semi-final, with Lawson only able to direct his effort wide on the swivel.

Watford were in the ascendancy after this chance, with Lawson once again sending an effort wide from close-range, before Leo Ramirez-Espain used some initiative to fire a shot goalwards with the outside of his foot, only for a Swansea head to send it over the crossbar.

As the half wore on and the rain became heavier, Zavier Massiah-Edwards looked to provide a moment of magic. He created the space for a curling effort by taking on several Swans defenders, but his effort kissed the top of the crossbar as it sailed over.

Swansea then enjoyed a period of possession, with a quick counter-attack seing an unmarked Henia-Kamau receive the ball in the box, but Gabriel Ortelli was equal to his powerful effort.

The sides could not be separated heading into the interval, and it was the Hornets who had the first chance after the break. A turnover in possession allowed Prince Sikiru to find Massiah-Edwards inside the box, but his effort curled wide of the far post.

Michael Adu-Poku's persistence created the next chance, as he used his strength to fend off the left-back, before driving into the box and firing a low shot across goal which Kit Margetson was able to push away.

Despite the Hornets' chances, it would be the hosts who took the lead. Some free-flowing passing saw Yori Griffith released down the left. He made his way into the box and laid it on a plate for Woodward, who made no mistake with the finish.

The lead was doubled soon after thanks to a powerful long-range effort from Cook, who fired his shot out of Ortelli's reach from 25 yards out.

The Hornets looked for a way back into the game but found themselves a man down after substitute Sanghrajka was sent off for a dangerous challenge.

Watford failed to respond to the quick-fire goals as their League Cup journey came to an end one step away from the final.

After the game, Adam Balletta, taking charge of the team following Tom Cleverley's appointment as Interim Head Coach, told watfordfc.com about his disappointment at the result due to the performance the side put in.

He said: "We’re really proud of the performance they put in - they showed heart and desire. I don’t think it is a red card, and that does change the game, but the boys showed character, and tried to get back into the game.

"From that point of view I am really pleased with how they dug in and showed guts."

Balletta continued that there is a lot for the players to take from the match, and the cup run, despite their semi-final exit.

He said: "At this level, a lot of games are going to be decided by mistakes, and I don’t think either of the goals today came from them being unbelievable.

"The boys are going to have to learn that those things cost them, so we will learn from those. They can’t do anything about today’s result now, so learn from it, move on, and go from the next one.

"For the boys to get to this point and compete is fantastic for their development. They’re going to have to play under pressured moments all the time, and that is a privilege they are going to have to enjoy, because that is where they want to be.

"They want to be in these sorts of positions where they are fighting for trophies, fighting for cups, so they can only learn from it."

The Academy coach finished by explaining the last-minute changes that were implemented following Cleverley's new role.

He concluded: "We have all got to muck in at the minute, because it is fantastic for the Academy and fantastic for Tom [Cleverley], Armand [Kavaja] and Damon [Lathrope]. We are really pleased for them and we’ve all just got to muck in.

"From a personal point, it has been a privilege to take it myself, and it has been a really good experience."

Photo credit for first three images: Athena Picture Agency