Henderson and Oshodi goals enough for Watford Reserves

Jordan Gibson was in outstanding form for Stevenage and denied the Hornets on numerous occasions in either half.

Keeper Scott Searle and experienced defender Mat Sadler completed a young side which won thanks to first-half goals from Liam Henderson and Eddie Oshodi.

Watford started sloppily and Stevenage striker Patrick Ulor could have found himself in twice early on if it wasn't for interceptions from captain Jordan Parkes.

The Hornets first attack came after good work from Matty Whichelow put Mat Sadler in and the experienced full back's cross was just deflected wide for a corner.

The resulting set piece from Lewis Young was acrobatically volleyed wide by Parkes.

Watford were starting to get on top and Liam Henderson should have scored when Michael Bryan pulled the ball back to the striker on the edge of the six-yard box but his strike was easily over the bar.

Henderson, who has only recently returned from his loan spell at Hartlepool, almost made up for his earlier miss when he forced Jordan Gibson into a good save from a tight angle, after Sadler's through ball.

The 19-year-old got his goal in the 19th minute though when he slid in to toe-poke home a delightful Lewis Young in-swinging free kick.

There was an injury scare for Sean Dyche a minute later when keeper Stuart Searle was taken out in the air and remained down for almost two minutes before getting to his feet.

Watford were dominating by this stage and went close twice in quick succession.

First Henderson hit the post, although he was adjudged to be marginally offside, and then Young saw his lob tipped over by Gibson.

It wasn't long until the Hornets had their second though with Eddie Oshodi's powerful header from another excellent Young delivery.

Watford remained on top but Stevenage midfielder Byron Nglube's long-range strike wasn't far wide on the half-hour mark.

Oshodi volleyed over from another Young corner and the winger almost scored himself when Henderson put him through but Gibson dived at his feet to make the save.

Henderson looked certain to score when he was put through one-on-one, the striker knocked the ball past the keeper, who brought him down but surprisingly the referee dismissed the penalty appeals.

It took until the second minute of injury time for Stevenage to test Searle but Watford's keeper tipped Ulor's shot wide.

It took a while for Watford to have their first chance of the second half but when it did come, Gibson made two excellent saves to deny the home side a third.

Cole Penny slipped Henderson in and the Stevenage keeper dived at the striker's feet as he shot and then from Young's corner, Parkes volley was palmed wide.

After Kurtney Brookes had a long shot saved, Watford almost scored a fantastic team goal.

Bryan was a constant threat down the right and he swung in a deep cross which Henderson did well to head downwards but Gibson again denied the striker.

Bryan almost scored a good solo goal as he ran from just inside the Stevenage area to shoot but once more the Hornets were denied by Gibson.

Watford's right winger was in again moments later but, although his shot beat the oncoming Gibson, it went wide of the Borough goal.

Piero Mingoia came on for Whichelow midway through the second half and could have scored if his touch wasn't too heavy from Penny's pass.

Stevenage struggled to break up Watford's passing and were limited to a long shot from Dayo Junaid, which was held by substitute keeper Bo Antal.

Marvin Sordell came on for Henderson late on and should have scored with his first touch, from Mingoia's cross, but the striker shot over.

Watford: Searle (Antal 45); Hodson, Oshodi, Parkes, Sadler; Bryan, Brookes, Penny, Whichelow (Mingoia 74); Young, Henderson (Sordell 82). Subs not used: Angus, Lavers.

Stevenage Borough: Gibson; Hammond, Barnes, Ntekolo (Nwosu 66), Mabbett (McDonald 78); Junaid, Harvey, Cazabonn, Ngulube; Ulor (Cowell 78), Swaine.