Goalkeeper Alfie Marriott is confident he and his Watford Under-21 teammates can use Tuesday evening’s Hertfordshire Senior Challenge Cup victory over Hertford Town as a springboard for success, following a somewhat difficult start to the 2022/23 season.

With first-year scholars having played key roles in the Young Hornets’ efforts so far this term, Omer Riza’s side have suffered some tough results, yet their latest outing yielded a welcome 1-0 scoreline, that marked their first clean sheet of the campaign.

Damani Hunter’s first-half goal sealed the Golden Boys’ progression to the quarter-finals of the county cup competition, and Marriott was buoyed by both the result and the performance of his team at Hertingfordbury Park.

And, after suffering from a string of niggly injuries off the back of a successful loan spell at Kings Langley FC during 2021/22, the 18-year-old is looking to help his team pick up a good run of form in the coming weeks and months.

“We know that recently results haven’t been going our way, but I think that after tonight we can push on now,” Marriott said. “For me as well – I’ve had a few little knocks and then recently I’ve had a problem with my finger – but I think we’re all buoyed by this result and want to play more games.

“Throughout the team, all the lads were class and played their part. The way we pressed and forced them into certain areas of the pitch was good – we talked about keeping them out wide and stopping them coming inside, and I think the fact I only had two or three proper saves to make says it all.

“It was a big pitch, and I think that played to our advantage because it meant we could get the ball out wide to some of our key players. We knew we had a good chance of winning if we could get the likes of Adrian [Blake] and Damani [Hunter] involved, and that’s what happened.”

Conversations between Lead Coach Riza and his charges before the game involved the AstroTurf pitch in Hertford, that Marriott believes Watford adapted well to throughout defence, midfield and attack.

Victory has set up a last-eight tie with Combined Counties Premier Division North side London Lions in January, and though Marriott admits the team would love to be the first Watford side to lift the Herts Senior Cup since 2003/04, he insists they are fully focused on building on their winning momentum back in Premier League Cup action against Middlesbrough on Saturday (November 19).

He added: “AstroTurf is very fast, so we knew it was going to be a quick game. We talked about making sure our touch was on point, and I think everyone reacted to the conditions brilliantly.

“As a goalkeeper the surface makes a difference, as well. You can be a bit more confident about the ball not bobbling, and play a bit deeper knowing it will run to you, and that was a challenge I enjoyed.

“It’s a good win, and of course there are always thoughts about continuing to progress in the competition. We’re just going to take it game-by-game though, and hopefully this can be the start of a decent run.”

Watch Now

SEO Image