Luke Varney played another 45 minutes for the U21s as they were beaten 2-0 by Watford at Playford Road this afternoon. The Hornets netted two goals in two first-half minutes via Michael Folovi from the penalty spot and Mahlondo Martin.
Varney, who is currently a free agent having been released by Blackburn in the summer, has been sidelined since rupturing his achilles in the play-offs in May while on loan with the Blues.
The 33-year-old underwent his rehab at Playford Road and returned to action when he played 45 minutes of last week’s behind-closed-doors U21s friendly against Southend which Town won 2-1 and is in talks with the Blues regarding a contract.
Town made a bright start and in the second minute Sam Ford, who was partnering Varney up front, showed persistence to win the ball on the left before cutting in and hitting a shot which Watford keeper Luke Simpson parried.
A minute later, Alex Henshall sent in a freekick from deep on the left which skipper Joe Robinson headed wide.
The lively beginning to the game continued with the Hornets coming close through Dennon Lewis, who shot into the side-netting from the right.
Varney should have put the Blues in front in the 12th minute from Henshall’s corner from the left. The striker was allowed a free header but nodded the ball into the ground and over.
The veteran frontman had the ball in the net five minutes later but was frustrated by a linesman’s flag. Simpson could only parry first-year scholar Conor McKendry’s shot from the edge of the box and Varney added the final touch but having strayed into an offside position.
Victor Guldbrandsen, like Varney returning from injury, the Danish midfielder having suffered a knee problem during pre-season, should have netted for the Blues in the 33rd minute but scuffed his header wide from Henshall’s corner on the right.
Two minutes later, Watford went in front from the penalty spot. Folivi cut inside Luke Woolfenden on the left of the area and was tripped. Referee James Turner correctly pointed to the spot and the felled Hornets striker beat Jonathan Henly.
The game had only just restarted when the visitors added to their lead. Skipper George Byers found Martin on the left and he hit a shot across Blues keeper Henly and into the net.
Town skipper Robinson was booked by referee Turner on 37 for venting his frustration at one of several incorrect decisions by the official whose performance was somewhat erratic throughout.
A minute later Henly saved well from Folivi but with the linesman’s flag already having been raised.
On 44 Kyle Hammond took the ball along the byline on the right before cutting it across. The ball was half-cleared to McKendry but the Northern Irish U17 international’s shot was blocked.
Just before the break Robinson made an important challenge to dispossess Folivi as he broke into the area.
Varney was replaced by Ben Morris at the break having drifted out of the game somewhat after making an impression early on. After seven months out with a serious injury his comeback was never going to be a quick process and it’s likely he’ll need to be involved in several more U21 games before he is ready for a first team return.
Guldbrandsen shot wide seven minutes after the break, a cross from the left having been cleared to him, then on the hour McKendry hit an effort across the face of goal.
Chances were rare in the second half with the Blues never really looking like getting back in it.
On 69, with Town starting to pass the ball around with greater confidence, Woolfenden hooked a loose ball against a defender after a corner.
McDonnell hit a shot which deflected through to Simpson seven minutes later, then on 82 Flynn Downes replaced Guldbrandsen. Moments before the whistle Henshall curled a freekick over.
Another disappointing result for the U21s who remain bottom of the Professional Development League Two South with the Hornets now three points and one place ahead of them.
Town had chances to go in front in the opening half an hour but once the visitors had gone in front Watford’s victory was never in any serious doubt.
None of the fringe first-teamers involved made much of a case for greater involvement with the senior side.
U21s: Henly, Hammond, Kenlock, McDonnell, Woolfenden, Robinson (c), McKendry, Guldbrandsen (Downes 82), Varney (Morris 46), Ford, Henshall. Subs: Marsden, Cole, Meldrum, Morris.