An own goal from Zac Williams three minutes before the break saw Watford defeat Crewe Alexandra in the Under-21s Professional Development League game at the Alexandra Stadium this afternoon.
Manager Michael Jackson named Tom Booth in goal behind a back 4 of Lewis Billington, Nathan Robinson, captain Zac Williams and Charlie Finney. In midfield were Owen Lunt and Lewis Nolan while Jack Parry, Calum Agius and Mo Jatta started behind Connor Evans up front. On the bench were Senior, Collins, Pharrell Leader-Williams, Luca Moore and goalkeeper Travis Ziglam.
The opening chance came in the 14th minute and saw Finney have an effort saved by Watford keeper Gabriel Ortelli before Agius would test the young keeper a minute later. Lunt’s through-ball found Evans who rounded the keeper, having his effort cleared off the goalline on 24 minutes before the visitors took the lead as a low cross from the right was turned into the net by Williams from close range.
The second half would see Jake Watkiss get in behind the Alex defence with Billington recovering well before Jack Grieves would have an effort saved just before the hour by Booth. Hornets sub Charlie Stallard would also clear off the line late on from a Billington effort as the visitors took the 3 points back south.
The next couple of games at this level see the Alex host Hull City at the Alexandra Stadium before travelling to Fleetwood Town a fortnight tomorrow (Tues 26th) – both games kicking off at 1:00 pm.
Crewe: Booth; Billington, Robinson, Williams, Finney; Lunt, Nolan (Senior 79); Parry, Agius, Jatta (Moore 63); Evans
Watford: Ortelli, Balogun, Eames (Stallard 84), Trialist (Torres 78), Mullins, Abbott (c), Hamiga (Gaspar 57), Davis, Collins, Grieves, Watkiss (Coyne 78)
