Watford have lost their opening match at the 2014 Milk Cup in Northern Ireland, going down 2-0 against Brentford.

A 2-0 defeat in their first match puts the young Hornets on the back foot, with fixtures against Global Premier Soccer (Tuesday) and Dundalk SL (Wednesday) to be played over the next two days.

The Hornets are competing in the Junior Section of the competition, along with the likes of Liverpool, Everton and Southampton, as well as clubs from Chile, Australia and Mexico. 

Watford are one of 28 sides competing in the Junior Section, with the table broken down into groups of four after the first three games and teams going into semi-finals for either the Milk Cup, Globe, Vase, Bowl, Salver, Shield or Medallion.

Watford squad: Jamie Lacy (GK), Lewis Merridan, Perry Price, Kieron Cathline, Edward Cooke, Louis Rodgers, Dion Pereira, Ashley Charles, Malik Thomas, Jadon Sancho, Xane Zaineddine, Danny Wickenden, Curtis Jones, Ty Rhys Paul-Jones, Reece Stray, Liam Sole and Jean Paul Antwi.

Meanwhile, first-year professional Josh Doherty is included in the Northern Ireland squad for the Elite Section of the competition.

Northern Ireland face China in their first game this evening before taking on Mexico on Wednesday and Canada on Friday.

Doherty, 18, made his Hornets debut as a substitute against Huddersfield on the final day of last season and has won 11 caps for Northern Ireland at Under-17 and Under-19 level.