Striker Tobi Adeyemo was back on target as Watford Under-21s made the long trip home from Barnsley this afternoon with all three points thanks to a 2-1 victory.

Adeyemo grabbed national media headlines on January 14, 2023, when he scored minutes after making his league debut for the first team as a substitute against Blackpool.

He ended last season with five first-team outings, but the current campaign has seen Adeyemo dogged by injuries and only recently has he returned to action.

However, he grabbed the Hornets’ second and decisive goal in the away victory that gave Charlie Daniels’ side their fifth win in the last eight games, cementing them in sixth place in the Premier League Development League South table.

The Hornets took the lead after six minutes when Michael Adu-Poku attacked down the left, the ball fell to Hamzat Balogun in the box and he swept a shot into the bottom-right corner.

Soon after the hosts seemed set to level when Emmaisa Nzondo squared for Aiden Marsh but keeper Alfie Marriott did exceptionally well to get back across goal and block.

In the next attack Harrison Nejman released Nzondo through the centre but he put his shot wide.

Barnsley defender Hayden Pickard had to react quickly and turn the ball round his own back post when Watford sent a low ball across the six-yard box.

That led to a corner from which the Hornets hit the bar, and they rattled the woodwork again soon after - both directly from Jake Watkiss' set-piece deliveries.

The hosts continued to press and Nzondo mistimed a volley after connecting with Nejman’s cross.

On the half-hour mark Barnsley were awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box, but Marsh hammered the ball straight into the wall.

Four minutes before the break Adeyemo saw his header from a corner deflected over the target.

It took only two minutes of the second period for Watford to double their lead as Adeyemo got in behind the home defence and calmly slotted home.

Two very nearly became three soon after when Zak Fraser-Grante saw his close-range effort saved by Barnsley keeper Rogan Ravenhill.

The home side reduced the arrears with 15 minutes left when Nejman scored with a cracking effort.

Just two minutes later Watford should have restored their two-goal advantage but Aidan Coyne headed over at the back post from only a few yards out.

In the last minute of normal time Adu-Poku came close to adding a third when he cut in from the flank, but Ravenhill denied him.

Then, deep into stoppage time, Aaron Atkinson looked set to equalise for the home side and, when that effort was blocked, the ball ran to Rafael Monteiro but he shot straight at Marriott.

The Under-21’s next game is at Vicarage Road on Tuesday April 2, when they host Swansea City. Kick-off is 2pm, and entry is free for season ticket holders.

Watford: Marriott; Eames, Watkiss, Coyne, Clarridge, Mullins, Adu-Poku, Gaspar, Adeyemo, Balogun, Fraser-Grante. Subs: Morris, Gould, Torres, Massiah-Edwards, Triallist