Reece Miller marked his first league start for Watford Under-23s with a spectacular winning goal as Hayden Mullins' side signed off the season with a win that landed them a fourth-place finish.
Colchester could have pipped them to the spot behind Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town in Group B of the Professional Development League had they won this rearranged fixture, but the Hornets beat the U's on their own patch to complete the league double and ensure they finished the season on a high.
There were plenty of goodbyes today for the likes of Max Ryan, Dennon Lewis and David Sesay, but they put in the sort of shift as if it was their first game for the club. Ryan, in particular, was first class at the heart of the defence after he came on as a half-time substitute for Tom Leighton.
Miller, on the other hand, is only one year into his scholarship after joining from Reading last summer and he can expect more game-time at this level next season alongside his Under-18 sidekick Ryan Cassidy, especially if he scores goals as good as the one he rattled in five minutes before half-time here. His opportunity wasn't even a half chance, but he let fly from distance on the turn and the ball arrowed into the back of the net. The keeper stood no chance. It was a goal fit to win any game.
The fact Watford held on for the three points was a result of some resolute defending either side of that and some more fine goalkeeping from Sam Howes. He really has been excellent this season. The way some defenders threw themselves bravely in front of shots, particularly in the second half, would have delighted Mullins and was typical of the spirit he has created in this group. There was no taking their foot off the gas just because this was the last game of the season.
Mullins used the final fixture to hand Miller his first league start and he started very brightly and went close twice inside two minutes. He was on target with a header from a Dion Pereira cross and then, just moments later, he strained every sinew to try and get a sliding touch to a slick move involving Lewis and Ashley Charles, but the ball across the face of goal proved just out of his reach.
You fancied Watford to build on this very promising start, but Colchester then took a grip on things and did most of the running. Ollie Sims hit the post for the home side and then Howes made several varied stops – one with his legs, one with his hands and another crucial punched clearance – to ensure the game remained all-square. Leighton and Joy Mukena also stood tall at the heart of the defence to ensure the Hornets kept a clean sheet with the wind in their faces. They needed to stand tall defensively to weather the storm and did just that.
With the free-running Pereira and Lewis on the wings, Watford were always going to be a threat on the break and it was from one such counter that Miller opened the scoring on 40 minutes. Lewis played in Pereira down the right who in turn fed Miller in a central position. The ball bobbled up for the striker 25 yards out and just invited him to turn and instinctively hook it goalwards. He caught it sweetly and the ball sailed over the head of Dorn Kurasik in the Colchester goal and into the roof of the net.
With the cushion of a goal and with the wind at their backs, Watford played more on the front foot in the second half. Pereira saw a wicked free-kick turned away for a corner and then Lewis had one saved following a lightning quick break down the left. If there was going to be another goal, it looked like Watford who would get it.
Lewis was proving too hot to handle and he was creating havoc down the left. He flashed one across the face of goal that David Sesay, at full stretch, put over the bar and then Pereira did the same after Lewis did all the hard work down the flank. The Hornets could really have done with the comfort of a second.
Managed by former Hornet Wayne Brown, Colchester, as you would expect, threw caution to the wind at the death and Watford had to dig deep. With young full-backs Michael Mullings and Lewis Gordon tucking in and looked very assured, the defence held firm and held out for the win, although Ollie Kensdale, the U's captain, will wonder how he missed the target with a header from five yards out.
But there has been enough drama in these Under-23 games this season and Mullins will have been relieved this one ended without too much alarm. It was a satisfying note to finish on.
HORNETS | Howes (GK) (C); Mullings, Leighton (Ryan 46), Mukena, Gordon; Stray, Adebiyi (D Sesay 62), Charles; Lewis, Miller (Cassidy 68), Pereira.
Subs not used | Hoskins (GK), Rogers
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