Watford Under-17s progressed to the final of the U17 Professional Development League Cup thanks to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Burnley at London Colney.
Second-half finishes from Kristian Shevchenko and Max Smith that their fathers would have been proud of earned the Hornets the victory, with either Crewe Alexandra or Fleetwood Town awaiting in the final.
The Clarets had the better of the chances in the first half, with Benji Wetshi only able to direct his effort wide after being played through one-on-one with Sam Morris.
Lead Coach Tom Cleverley told watfordfc.com that he was pleased his side were able to come back stronger after a poor first-half showing.
He said: "I thought first half it was clear to see they were the better side. At half-time, we had to accept that and try to put that right.
"The players did fantastically well in the second half. We got the goal when the game was in the balance, and then from one-nil I thought we really kicked on, stamped our authority on the game, and it was a comfortable win in the end.
"Football is all about waves, when you are at the bottom of the wave you have to try and sit tight and not concede, and when you are at the top of the wave you have to try to capitalise and score, and that’s exactly what we did today.
"The lads dealt really well with the occasion today, showed real resilience when they needed to and were clinical in their finishing when they needed to as well.
"I am happy for the group. They are really hard-working and honest, so hopefully we can get some silverware."
On an overcast afternoon, the Hornets struggled to get a grip on the game in the first half. Ben Jordison could only fire wide after Zach Johnson's mazy run, with Hayden Barrett having Watford's best chance of the half when his shot from the edge of the box sailed over the bar.
Burnley had another good chance as play resumed, with Oliver Stephenson making a goal-line clearance following some pinball in the box to keep the game at 0-0.
The Hornets would make the most of this let-off by opening the scoring just after the hour mark in a move started by Stephenson.
The right-back burst down the right, only for his blocked cross to be reworked on the left by the impressive Zavier Massiah-Edwards. The winger then fired in a low cross into the path of Shevchenko, the son of Ukraine legend Andriy, whose deflected effort nestled into the corner to give Watford the lead.
Lucas Wane had a chance to draw things level from the bench when he was found unmarked from a corner, but he was unable to direct his header on target.
The Hornets grew in confidence as time wore on, with the side confirming their place in the final when a Morris goal kick evaded everyone in the middle of the park, playing substitute Smith, the son of former Hornets man Tommy, through on goal.
The striker took a few touches before sending the ball beyond the reach of Felix Chester to seal the victory for the Young Hornets.
Wane went closest to setting up a nervy finish, but his effort after being sent through on goal by a goal kick was valiantly blocked by Jonny Scriven.
A much-better performance in the second half saw the Under-17s deservedly book their place in the PDL Cup final, with the side showing resilience to bounce back after an under-par showing before the interval.
Line-Up
Watford
Starting XI: Morris (GK), Stephenson, Notley, Barrett (Hunt 27'), Scriven, Bolding, Shevchenko (Bowlin 89'), Sanghrajka (C) (Smith 75'), Odiase (Riza 61'), Nabizada, Massiah-Edwards.
Subs not used: Thrussell.
Goals: Shevchenko (61'), Smith (87').
Burnley
Starting XI: Chester (GK), Jackson, Amlott, Rogers, Jordison, Leuluai, Johnson, Carlin, Wetshi, McMahon, Abbas.
Subs: Robinson, Blackie, West, Wane.
