Watford Under-21s will take part in an end-of-season knock-out stage after securing a top-eight finish in the PL Professional Development League.
Jack Grieves returned to action as Aidy Mariappa's side beat Charlton Athletic 3-1 at Vicarage Road, Amar Sanghrajka scoring twice.
The result means the young Hornets are among the best eight sides when combining the north and south divisions, and will progress to a competition against the sides placed between 17-24th in Premier League 2, where clubs operate a category one academy.
Sanghrajka opened the scoring with a left-footed finish after Jonathan Lawson had burst away down the right inside the first 60 seconds of the game.
Play-off place secured! 🔒🤩 pic.twitter.com/kqCcl47Wz9
— Watford FC Academy (@WatfordFCAcad) April 20, 2026
Max Smith added a second when he tapped home after his penalty was saved, before Ethan Brown converted a spot-kick of his own.
Bentley Assiedou crossed for Sanghrajka to seal the deal with 12 minutes remaining, though - the midfielder showing an impressive instinct for getting on the end of chances inside the box.
Grieves will now push for more first-team minutes, having been namechecked by Ed Still last week, while Leo Ramirez-Espain also made his comeback after a few months out with injury.
Watford XI: Marriott; Eames, Mullins, Georgiou, Vancea (Hunt 79); Trialist (Moulton 72), Sanghrajka; Smith (Assiedou 67), Grieves (Ramirez-Espain 57), Chikovani; Lawson (Shevchenko 79)
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