Young Blues stunned by three goal Hornets blitz in first-half
Town’s U23s fell to a 5-2 defeat against Watford at Playford Road.
Jack Lankester and Conor McKendry were on the scoresheet for Blues but it was the Hornets who took the spoils thanks to three goals in five minutes just before half-time.
Town began the stronger side and were almost ahead 10 minutes in when McKendry narrowly missed the target from outside the penalty area.
But just three minutes later Town did find an opener. Impressive work from Aaron Drinan and McKendry led to Lankester having a free header and the striker made no mistake from close range.
Five minutes before the break the visitors were level as Ryan Cassidy teed up Deon Pereira who finished past Town shot-stopper Harry Wright.
And just two minutes later the Hornets had their second. Pereira again stinging the Town defence with a cool finish.
Salt was well and truly rubbed into Blues’ wound when Max Ryan slammed home from close range to give the away side a two-goal lead.
Geraint Williams’ side regrouped after the restart and pulled one back with McKendry tapping into an empty net following neat build-up play from Lankester.
McKendry’s effort proved in vain, though, as Town defender Corrie Ndaba headed past his own ‘keeper 17 minutes from time.
The result was put beyond doubt as substitute Ashley Chapies netted Watford’s fifth in the 87th minute.
