Watford’s Under-23s picked up a 2-1 win over Queens Park Rangers, with a brace from Michael Folivi, who the club want to see gain more experience away on loan. 

The young team featured just one player above the age of 19, but still managed to take all three points against a QPR side who are second in the Professional Development League and had been unbeaten since September.

The U23s lost 6-2 against QPR earlier in the season and the win was described by the club as “probably the team’s best win of the campaign.”

The Head of the club’s Academy Darren Sarll said he hopes the performance can renew interest in some of his players, as he looks to help them find loan moves to aid their development.

Speaking to the club website, he said: “The minute we can get them out playing senior football, they’ll go.

“That doesn’t matter if you are a second-year scholar or a second-year pro. It’s important to play senior football every week and see what it’s like at the coal face.”

One player he is optimistic about sending out on loan soon is goalscorer Folivi, who he singled out for individual praise.

The striker now has nine goals for the season and Sarll would love to see him get an opportunity to follow up his loan spells at Coventry City and Boreham Wood with more senior opportunities.

He said: “He did what I’ve asked of him today and they were two great finishes. We’ve worked very hard on that and he’s scoring a good amount of goals now and should be a very attractive proposition for someone.”

Sarll was also delighted with the team’s overall performance, especially following the defeat in the reverse fixture and praised the team’s bravery.

He said: “You could see how motivated the group were and these are enjoyable games.

“We just asked them to be brave and not to give the opponents too much respect.”