Marat Galajevs scored a brace as Watford defeated an extremely youthful Posh Under 18 side on the final day of the season.
Marat Galajevs notched two late goals as the Hornets ran out 2-0 winners at the Weston Homes Stadium, putting an end to the regular Professional Development League season.
Luke Gilbert led his side out, taking the captaincy from Andre Changunda – who was on duty for the first team at Rotherham United - following on from midweek’s cup victory over Sheffield United. Max Beech returned to the XI, in tandem with Luca Christoudias, Junior Crozier, Nathaniel Joseph and Olly Arber who were all rewarded with minutes from the outset.
The away side created the first opportunity in the 16th minute as the Hornets’ full-back skied over on the stretch, before pouring bodies forward again minutes later, this time Ben Westcott was equal to a drive from 20-yards.
Watford – who had locked in a second-place finish before yesterday’s game – launched another attack, working the ball to their wide man who looked to hook an effort past Westcott, missing the far corner in the process.
Our visitors saw an effort whistle wide minutes before the break, before Westcott was called into action low down to his right as time ticked down.
Eddie Fox picked out the path of our Trialist following the restart, who bore down on goal with substitute Kurtis Simmons in support out wide, but he opted to go alone – only to see his strike well blocked.
It was a similar tale at the other end for the Hornets’ front man, who, after a lull in chances, looked to round Westcott – nicking the ball from his path. But with the ball eventually knocked free, Luke Gilbert recovered on the goal-line to foil the away side’s attempt to take the lead.
Westcott warmed his gloves once more on 65 minutes, meeting an effort from range before GALAJEVS opened the scoring, guiding the ball into the bottom corner.
From then on, the away side had their tails up and GALAJEVS put the result beyond down in stoppage time, picking out the far corner with venom.
Posh: Westcott, Crozier, Joseph (sub Simmons 46min), Christoudias, Arber, Gilbert, Davies (sub Sango 72min), Fox (sub Norville 61min), Trialist, Beech (sub Sykut 46min), Fitzpatrick (sub Fitzpatrick 72min).
Half-time: Posh Under 18s 0-0 Watford Under 18s
Full-time: Posh Under 18s 0-2 Watford Under 18s