A young Watford side went down to Bristol City at the weekend as the visitors stepped up a gear in the second half and blew away the inexperienced Hornets at London Colney.

The under 18s were missing defenders Aaron Beech and Raphael Brown as well as older players such as Lewis Young and Ewan Clarke. This though gifted opportunities to the likes of Lee Hodson and Piero Mingoia who continue to impress for players so young. Watford went into the clash high on confidence after three successive wins and two clean sheets.

It was a scrappy start to the game with few early chances as neither side settled into a solid pattern of play. Mingoia eventually was the first to try his luck with a half-hearted effort from 20 yards which went wide of the post.

Kieron Forbes grew in stature as the half progressed and he appears to be quickly adapting to his new role in attack alongside Liam Henderson. At the other end Ashley Kington saw his shot well saved by Jonathan North in goal for Watford.

Henderson and Forbes were now starting to link well in their pursuit of the first strike and after a neat move involving both of them, striker Henderson lost his footing at the vital second before he was about to pull the trigger.

Nick Dunn shot wide for City after Watford could only half clear their lines inside a packed penalty area. While Henderson's half volley was well saved after a long throw-in from Forbes.

The visitors came closest to breaking the deadlock in the build-up to half time when Kington rattled the bar with a thunderbolt of a free-kick.

The scores were still level at half time but City came out the stronger and were in control for the large majority of the second half. The writing was on the wall when Marlon Jackson hit the side netting, the first goal was struck after 52 minutes when that man Jackson kept his cool after a scramble in the penalty area.

It could have just been two just moments later but North was at his best after a Bristol corner. The pressure continued as the west country side took the game by the scruff of the neck and quickly added their second.

After a series of neatly placed passes in midfield, Bristol's number six, Andy Rose, found himself in the Watford area and calmly flicked the ball over North in the Watford goal.

The pressure continued with Bristol winning further corners and they finished their scoring spree in the 70th minute with a powerful free kick that North couldn't hold from Kington.

The Hornets used the opportunity to try out more under 16s players at this level as Cole Penny stepped up off the bench to get another run-out in central midfield.

Watford were reduced to 10 men when Forbes was dismissed after a high, reckless challenge in what was a disappointing morning for the Hornets after the encouraging performance over recent weeks.

However it once again gave a chance for Matthew Whichelow and Eddie Oshodi at under 18s level. The younger members of the side will have learnt plenty about what they can expect week-in, week-out with the Academy team and the strong sides in the division this season.  

The Academy are next in action away against Leicester City this Saturday (27 October).

WATFORD (4-4-2): North; Hodson, Lavers (Omogbehin 75), Bennett (c), Oshodi; Jenkins, Kiernan (Penny 60), Mingoia, Whichelow (Sordell 60); Henderson, Forbes. Subs not used: Brooks

BRISTOL CITY (4-4-2): Baliazs; Edwards, Boon, Wilkinson, Rose (c); Silvers, Child, Dunn, Stanbolziey (Towler 73); Jackson, Kington. Sub not used: Stearn

SCORERS: Jackson (52), Rose (56), Kington (70)

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; Forbes (professional foul 80) BRISTOL CITY; none

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