Adrian Blake’s third goal in two games earned Watford Under-21s a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday at Vicarage Road, but better finishing in the second half would have seen them take all three points.

Having gone behind inside a minute, Watford took time settle and really only imposed themselves in the closing stages of the first period.

In the second half, though, they were much more threatening and carved out enough chances to have won the game.

Having travelled to Hull but not featured for the first team on Saturday, Blake made a strong case for a place in the 18 at Sunderland this weekend with another display that combined a real desire to run with the ball and some very clever touches.

His finish for the equaliser was instinctive and clinical, and Wednesday were always wary when he had the ball in the final third.

Ferreira showcased his pace and willingness to break out of defence while Sierralta was solid and dominant, giving next to nothing away.

Up front Araujo found it hard going against a bigger and imposing centre half. He showed some neat touches and his movement off the ball was good, but being the fulcrum of the attack against a more physical opponent is probably not going to show him in his best light.

One player who did catch the eye was Charlie Davis, who played an hour in midfield before making way for a triallist. The 18-year-old is not the biggest but he’s got no problem going in where it hurts, he looked comfortable on the ball and had the legs to help the Hornets progress the ball through the middle third.

Watford Observer: Charlie Davis in action against Sheffield Wednesday.Charlie Davis in action against Sheffield Wednesday. (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

Wednesday were ahead inside a minute as Watford got caught trying to play out from the back. Macaulay did well to save the first shot but there was nothing he could do as Wednesday’s triallist striker followed up to score.

It took Watford until the 15th minute to force a save, Charles dropping to hold a low drive Collins drive from the edge of the box.

In the 34th minute Fusire cleverly split the Watford defence with a low through-ball that Cook strode onto. The forward hit his shot firmly but Macaulay had moved quickly off his line and spread himself well to block.

Visiting keeper Charles made a fine save three minutes before the interval. Blake broke through the middle and then moved the ball to his left in the box, allowing Collins to strike a first-time effort that the keeper palmed away at full stretch.

In the final minute of the half a magnificent 40-yard diagonal ball from Ferreira was taken down sublimely by Blake on the side of his boot as he was running. The forward kept going, checked when he got into the box but then shot straight at Charles.

Four minutes into the second half Watford were level. Grieves burst into the right-hand side of the box and drew Charles out of his goal before smartly dragging the ball back for Blake to thump into the net.

Shortly after Macaulay made a fine fingertip save, going full length to deny the Wednesday triallist striker when the visitors made a quick counter-attack.

The Hornets should have been ahead in the 55th minute. Blake got away down the left and Araujo let his low cross run perfectly into the path of Collins, who got hold of his angled shot well enough but steered it just wide of the post.

Collins had another great chance in the 68th minute, rising unmarked in six-yard box to meet a chipped cross from Morris, but sending his header straight at Charles.

A minute later Araujo did well to get on the end of a deep cross and head the ball back for Grieves to hook a volley over the top.

Four minutes from time Phuthi got to the by-line on the left and his low cross was turned just wide of the back post by substitute Onukwuli.

In the 90th minute Blake broke into the right of the box and beat Charles with an angled shot that also went the wrong side of the upright.

In stoppage time the triallist got away on the left and then slipped a pass into the feet of Araujo. The on-loan Benfica striker checked inside a defender but saw his shot blocked.

Watford: Macaulay; Ferreira (Triallist 82), Morris, Fankwe, Abbott, Sierralta, Grieves, C Davis (Triallist 59), Araujo, Collins, Blake. Subs: Browne, Coyne, Triallist