Watford U18s 4 Brentford U18s 1 | OneFootball

Brentford Under-18s lost 4-1 at Watford on Saturday afternoon in the Professional Development League.

Despite the young Bees having a number of first-half chances, it was the hosts who claimed the three points.

Jon-Paul Pittman's side started the game in good fashion, moving the ball well as they probed the Hornets defence in the early stages.

Michel Boni had an early opportunity to give the Bees the lead but he headed over from an Otis Honor free-kick.

Adam Poliakov was next to go close but a last-ditch challenge diverted his goalbound effort wide.

Watford took the lead against the run of play through Max Smith, whose strike beat goalkeeper Trialist A.

Despite the setback, the west Londoners were not relenting in their chance creation as Honor and Boni both forced the keeper into good saves.

Their deserved goal eventually came when Emeka Peters’ shot was spilled into Boni’s path and the striker finished well after reacting quickest to the loose ball.

Watford regained the advantage almost instantly as Kristian Shevchenko took advantage of some confusion from the Brentford defenders and tucked home from inside the box.

Max Smith added a third on the stroke of half-time as he raced clear and slotted in at the near post.

The second period began with increased impetus from the away side and Peters won a penalty early on. He stepped up to take it but the goalkeeper saved.

As the half wore on, there was little to report as neither side could muster any opportunities for more goals.

With the full-time whistle approaching, a deliberate handball from Freddie Taylor in the box gave Watford a penalty and the right-back received a straight red card.

Smith grabbed his hat-trick from 12 yards out to complete the scoring.

Brentford U18s are next in action on Saturday 29 March when they take on Peterborough United away from home.

Brentford: Trialist A, Taylor, Ivanov, Golding, Powis, Francis, Owusu (Bobb-Semple 62), Honor, Boni (Giscombe 80), Poliakov (Halil 62), Peters

Unused subs: Lyon, Payet

Booked: Owusu 58

Red card: Taylor 90+4

Watford: Thrussell, Clark, Hunt, Akinyimika, Stephenson, London, Cowie, Riza, Norville, Shevchenko, Smith

Unused subs: O. Akinyimika, Lamidi, Mcloughlin, Ali-Sticca, Brant (T).

Booked: Stephenson 25, Riza 80