Town's U21s secured a stoppage-time 1-0 victory against Watford at Playford Road on Friday afternoon, Edwin Agbaje stepping up to convert their third penalty of the game after Tawanda Chirewa had seen both of his previous spot-kicks saved.

The first of these came in just the fourth minute after visiting keeper Vincent Angelini had fouled striker Gerrard Buabo. The stopper made amends though by saving Chirewa's first penalty of the afternoon with his legs.

On 16 a low free-kick from the visitors wasn't cleared and the ball fell kindly for Jack Grieves, but he snatched at his shot and dragged the ball well wide of the target from a good position.

Town's keeper Woody Williamson made two good saves soon after, first denying Adrian Blake and then Tobi Adeyemo who had found himself clean through on goal.

Angelini was called into action again as the half-hour mark approached and he did well to push Zak Bradshaw's goalbound header away following a dangerous set piece from Chirewa.

In stoppage time at the end of the first half, another Chirewa free-kick was met by right-back Agbaje but he lifted his effort well over the bar.

Town, who had former U23s coach Kieron Dyer watching from the sidelines, made their first change at half-time with Zanda Siziba replacing central midfielder Alfie Cutbush, who was playing his first game back after 14 months out injured.

It was a slow start to the second half with neither side creating any clearcut chances until just before the hour mark when Chirewa tested Angelini with a low shot from the edge of the box, but the keeper gathered with ease.

A low free-kick from Siziba shortly after was similarly comfortable for the visiting custodian to deal with.

On 70 Williamson pushed a fierce strike from right-back Hamzat Balogun over his bar, before Town were awarded their second penalty six minutes later.

Sub Jesse Nwabueze drew a foul from a trialist Watford defender and despite protests from the visitors that the foul was outside the box, the referee was unmoved.

Nwabueze evidently wanted to take the kick himself but ultimately Chirewa stepped up again, and was once more denied by a good save from Angelini, much to his delight and that of his teammates.

In the 79th minute Agbaje teed up Chirewa, who saw his low effort rebound off the foot of the post and moments later Angelini parried away another shot from the influential midfielder.

As it looked more and more like Town would be frustrated in front of goal, they were awarded their third penalty of the game in the 90th minute when Matt Ward cut in from the right and was clearly tripped in the box by left-back Ryan Andrews.

Republic of Ireland U18 international Agbaje took the responsibility and finally managed to beat the Watford keeper and secure all three points for the Blues.

There was still time for Andrews, who had been booked for a foul earlier in the half, to pick up a second booking and a subsequent red card for dissent deep into stoppage time.

The Blues included trialist Sam Knowles in their side. The 18-year-old right winger, who was released by Stoke last season, was replaced just before the hour without really catching the eye. He previously spent time on trial at Sunderland.

U21s: Williamson, Agbaje, Hudson, Alexander, Bradshaw, Stewart, Knowles (Nwabueze 59), Cutbush (Siziba 46), Buabo (Curtis 59), Chirewa, Ward. Unused: Cullum.

Photo: TWTD

happybeingblue added 19:35 - Sep 30 i remember watching young agbaje in the boys fa cup run and he looked a promising talent like a young fabian wilnis marauding forward from right back.
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