Watford Under-23s suffered a 4-1 home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday in their Professional Development League clash this evening.

Harry Kewell picked a strong team featuring Adrian Mariappa in his first game back at Vicarage Road and former Liverpool forward Jerome Sinclair.

Michael Folivi had the first chance for the hosts but he curled his shot past goalkeeper Dan Wallis’ post.

Watford opened the scoring after just seven minutes when Charlie Rowan’s strike was parried by Wallis and Sinclair reacted quickest to net the rebound.

But the Owls grabbed an unlikely equaliser in a moment goalkeeper Charlie Bannister will want to forget. Jack Stobbs picked up the ball outside the area and his shot was straight at Bannister but it somehow slipped underneath his body into the net.

Sheffield Wednesday were awarded a penalty shortly afterwards after a late challenge in the area and Stobbs fired home his second goal of the match.

It got even worse for the Hornets when they conceded a third goal. Watford were caught out defensively and Devante Rodney was left with a simple finish from close range.

The hosts were almost in trouble from Stobbs’ free-kick, near the touchline which was not dealt with by Bannister, but the defence managed to clear the danger.

Bannister pulled off a superb save early on in the second half when he pushed Matt Penney’s powerful strike over the bar.

Watford responded and went close through Rhyle Ovenden but his shot was tipped over by Wallis.

Ovenden also fired in a decent free-kick from just outside the area but his strike hit the side netting.

The Hornets were unlucky not to pull one goal back when captain Carl Stewart’s low strike cannoned back off the post.

Sheffield Wednesday made it 4-1 when Warren Clarke’s strike took a deflection off Rowan and flew past Bannister.

Watford almost responded immediately but Michael Folivi’s header from close range was straight at Wallis.

The Hornets had a couple of half chances to score in the closing stages but could not find a goal as they were well beaten at home to the Owls.

Watford: Bannister (GK); Trialist (Sesay, 80), Mariappa, Rowan, Trialist; Obi (Adeyemo, 65), Stewart, Ryan, Ovenden; Sinclair, Folivi

Subs: Thomas, Roe, Empson

Sheffield Wednesday: Wallis; Centeno, Emanuelson, Murphy (Lee, 80), O’Grady; Thorniley, Stobbs, Clare, Penney (Preston, 87); Rodney (Hirst, 63), Clarke

Subs: Percival, Walker