AS the first team took part in their recent play-off clashes with Hull City, our younger Hornets travelled to France to take part in an end of season tournament.

Academy manager David Dodds arranged to take his scholars and some under 16s schoolboys to Lille in France to take part in the 52nd Croix under 19s football tournament.

After missing out on the final following spot-kick heartache, the Hornets won the third-fourth place play-off on penalties against the hosts Lille.

There was added success with the news that Lewis Young finished joint top-scorer in the tournament and he was also named 'Player of the Tournament'.

The Golden Boys had two group games, firstly they came up against Portuguese side Boavista Porto before meeting French colony club Mayotte.

Watford beat their first opponents 2-0, before dispatching of the French by four goals to nil to mean they qualified to the knock-out competition having not conceded any goals. 

Academy team 2007/08

Under 18s coach Sean Dyche was more than happy with the way the youngsters started.

He said: "The first game against Boavista was a match where we applied ourselves really well and our strong work ethic allowed us to play and put them off their game. In the end we deserved the win. Against Mayotte we were comfortable 4-0 winners."

The Hornets faced Czech side Sparta Prague in the semi final, while the hosts played Lens in the other game.

For Dyche, it was a sterling performance from the boys, but one that wasn't rewarded with goals.  

"Sparta Prague were quite rigid in the way they played and wooden in their organisation, but our movement really hurt them - it was a strange game where we arguably could have won it 4-0.

"Their keeper made a couple of saves and we missed a few and it ended up being 0-0 with immediate penalties.

Under 18s coach Sean Dyche

"We went out on penalties which was a real blow because on that performance alone we deserved to be in the final."

The third-fourth play-off game verses Lille was a success for the 'Orns, after drawing 2-2 the Hornets made up for their earlier penalty distress by beating Lille in front of over 2,000 spectators.

For Dyche it was more than they deserved.

"By the third-fourth play-off we were a bit flat and tired but they really dug in. We were 2-1 up with a minute to go and a free kick came in and the lad smacked in the corner. So yet again it goes to penalties and we came out on top this time."

Watford finished top scorers with nine goals, the scorers were:
Lewis Young - 4
Liam Henderson - 2
Ewan Clarke - 1
Marvin Sordell - 1
Piero Mingoia - 1
 
All in all the trip proved a worthwhile exercise for players and management alike and it rounded off the 07/08 on a high for the boys and gives them something to look forward to for next season.

Lewis Young had an impressive tournament for the 'Orns

Dyche added: "It was a fantastic experience and they came across some big clubs, so it's a real good experience to find out where they are.

"We spoke to them about the challenges of European football as part of their education. The lads went about their business well and gained success from there.

"They were very professional throughout the whole tour, their behaviour was excellent and there's a very good feeling about the tour.

"It was the first time we've seen the lads really come to terms with the professional side of the game - and how important it is to prepare right and focus.

"They delivered in all areas and the under 16s who came with us did fantastically well - we took six of them who are coming in next year."

Our under 16s at a recent home game

The strong, goal-scoring performances of Young was the icing on the cake as far as the trip was concerned. After recovering from injury the versatile front man has made his mark on the second half of the campaign and was rewarded with a professional contract in March.

Dyche believes the success from this tournament came about through strong performances from the spine of the side; players such as Young, Liam Henderson, Dale Bennett, Aaron Beech and Ross Jenkins. With the other players more than playing their part and in the words of Dyche 'galvinising the team'.

The scholars and under 16s are now winding down with the scholars finishing off their educational work before having a summer break.

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