It was perhaps more interesting to spot who didn’t line up for Watford Under-21s in their 2-2 draw with Burnley at Vicarage Rad this afternoon.
With head coach Tom Cleverley telling the media yesterday that a number of Academy players would be travelling as part of the first-team squad for the final Championship fixture of the season at Middlesbrough tomorrow, it’s likely that any notable absences from Charlie Daniels’ team this afternoon could well be on the bus heading north-east.
Jack Grieves, who made his first start against Sunderland, wasn’t at Vicarage Road, and nor were the likes of Albert Eames, Tobi Adeyemo, Zavier Massiah-Edwards and Amin Nabizada, although the latter pair are still eligible for the Under-18s who play away at Cardiff tomorrow.
The visitors went ahead after 12 minutes when Ackeme Francis-Burrell headed home a cross from Basilio Socoliche.
However, Watford only took five minutes to get back on level terms when Michael Adu-Poku poked the ball home amid a goalmouth scramble.
Burnley nearly regained the lead in some style after half an hour when Lewis Richardson tried his luck from 40 yards and saw the ball hit the bar.
Shortly after the start of the second half the Hornets were grateful for a fine interception from James Clarridge to stop a Burnley breakaway.
However, the Clarets weren’t to be denied in the 51st minute when Joe Westley pounced as the Hornets failed to clear a set piece.
Watford drew level in the 70th minute in somewhat bizarre fashion as Burnley keeper Charlie Casper dashed out to come for a bouncing ball but got it all wrong, leaving Laken Torres to tap the ball into the empty net.
It needed a fine stop from keeper Gabreil Ortelli to stop Burnley taking the lead for a third time with 10 minutes to go, and shortly after Renaldo Torraj shot wide from a great position.
Watford: Ortelli; Gould, Watkiss (Trialist 65), Coyne (Buers 65), Clarridge, Abbott, Adu-Poku, Davis, Torres, Trialist, Fraser-Grante (Shevchenko 72). Subs: Browne, Holding
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