Watford

1

Sheffield Wednesday

1

Adrian Blake’s second-half goal earned Watford’s Under-21s a point as they drew 1-1 with Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road in the Professional Development League.

Despite the sprinkling of first-team talent within the Young Hornets’ squad, a defensive mix-up led to the opener in favour of the away side within the opening minute. João Ferreira’s misplaced pass fell to a Sheffield Wednesday attacker who forced a decent stop out of Jonathan Macaulay, but the rebound was tucked home by a trialist.

The Golden Boys looked to respond to going a goal down early on as James Collins and Jack Grieves had efforts which were saved by Pierce Charles in-between the sticks for the Owls. On the half-hour mark, Macaulay made a crucial stop to keep his side in the game, denying Luke Cook from point-blank range.

As the encounter headed towards the break, Watford stepped up the intensity as Collins forced Charles to make a save at full stretch after neat play from Blake. Following the interval, Watford began strongly and impressive build-up play between Grieves and Henrique Araújo led to Blake firing the ball into the corner to notch the equaliser.

The Young Hornets nearly took the lead moments later as the goalscorer powered in a dangerous cross before Collins tapped it wide of the mark. And the striker had another opportunity to score, heading straight into the arms of Charles unmarked, before Grieves volleyed an effort over the bar with 20 minutes remaining.

Under-21 Lead Coach Omer Riza turned to the bench to hand two trialists an opportunity to make an impact, and although there were some late chances for Blake and Araújo, the match ended all-square.

Speaking after the clash, the Academy boss felt that it was a much-improved performance in the second 45, even though Wednesday were reduced to a smattering of chances throughout the contest.

“I think we did well to get back into the game,” Riza began. “In the first half we could’ve been better with certain things that we were doing. Our shape didn’t really allow us to get after them the way we wanted to.

“In the second half, we came out with a different structure and a different system and I thought we caused them problems, enough to go and win the game really, but we weren’t tidy enough.

“We started in a 4-4-1-1 and we wanted to be a little bit more restrictive, but we probably gave them a little bit more time on the ball at the back than we would’ve liked. We still managed them well. The goal we conceded came from our own fault - it’s not like they created loads and caused us lots of problems.

“We just needed to be a bit more front-footed and more aggressive, especially being at home and with the players that we had on the pitch. So, second half we changed it to a diamond and got after them that way, going two up-top which gave us that emphasis on pressing them. I think we did that and we got the goal, and we could’ve had one or two more as well.”

With the inclusion of first-team players Francisco Sierralta, Ferreira and Araújo, Riza was pleased to see them add to the quality of the fixture, while helping the Young Hornets in the process.

“We love having them down because it gives our boys the chance to see what the levels are, and sometimes it helps our boys to step up a level as well,” he continued.

“When players like George Abbott have people like Sierralta next to them, George can look at that. It’s the same up-top when James Collins is playing with Henrique Araújo or when João Ferreira is playing on the right side and he can talk to the people in front of him.

“It’s great having them. It’s great for our boys on two levels really. Like I said, it elevates their performance and it shows them the levels. It was nice to have them out there. It’s just a shame we didn’t get the result, really.”

Heading into the final two matches of the campaign, Riza is hoping to conclude the season on a positive note with a trip to the Coventry Building Society Arena next up, before a final visit to Vicarage Road.

Riza said: “I think we are finishing the season quite strong, and we have had a little more consistency. We get to play at these stadiums like Vicarage Road, and we have been quite fortunate this year with the stadiums we have played in.

“You have to perform and play at the level that is required, and we have done that most of the time we have been on these sorts of pitches. The last two games against Coventry and Burnley are good games for us. Hopefully we will get some wins and see the season out strong.”

Midfielder Charlie Davis echoed his boss’ words and felt that the Young Hornets could have earned more from the Sheffield Wednesday encounter.

“I thought it was a good performance from us,” Davis added. “I felt like we deserved more and it was good to have that first-team experience with us, which helped to add that quality.

“It’s unfortunate because conceding in the first minute is frustrating, but I feel like, especially in the second-half, we clawed our way back. We should be disappointed not to get the three points.

“It was tough in midfield today. There was a lot of running. I felt that me and Jordan [Fankwe] kept it solid at times, but to have the first-team players behind us communicating helped us to dictate the game and slow it down when needed. It was good.”

Line-Ups

Watford

Starting XI: Macaulay (GK), Ferreira (Trialist 83’), Morris, Fankwe, Abbott (C), Sierralta, Grieves, Davis (Trialist 60’), Araújo, Collins, Blake

Subs not used: Browne (GK), Coyne, Trialist

Goal: Blake (50’)

Sheffield Wednesday

Starting XI: Charles (GK), Fusire, Phuthi, Trialist, Ashman, Maltby, Shipston (Onukwuli 69’), Glover (C), Cook (Moses 83’), Trialist, Durrant

Subs not used: Phillips (GK), Flannery, Thornton

Goal: Trialist (1’)

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