A crowd of 4,121 saw the young Hornets concede the only goal of the game after just three minutes but then test the holders with a classy, confident and combative performance.
Although goalkeeper Sam Morris was the star with a string of top-notch saves to prevent the visitors going further clear, the entire Watford team could be proud of the way they tried to take the game to City.
Watford were without Zavier Massiah-Edwards who was ruled out due to concussion protocols.
The forward took a hefty blow to the head when he came on as a substitute in the first team’s 1-0 win over Hull on Tuesday, and now has to stay sidelined for 12 days, which means he will also miss the trip to West Brom on Saturday.
Amin Nabizada, who has scored freely in the FA Youth Cup this season, and Nickson Okosun – scorer of the first goal in the wins over both Spurs and Southampton – were in the team, along with Kristian Shevchenko, son of Ukraine legend Andriy.
City handed Watford an early blow when they went ahead through Matthew Warhurst after only three minutes but, after that, the Hornets regrouped and gave the holders a good test in the remainder of the first half.
Keeper Morris had to make three top-class saves to prevent City going further ahead, but Watford had chances of their own and ensured the Premier League side knew they were in a contest.
City attempted to control the game with possession after the break, and for long periods they did just that.
However, Morris continued to wage a one-man fight against anyone who tried to add a second, pulling off a string of outstanding saves.
Watford did their best top find a way through and had their moments, but despite a gutsy and classy attempt to battle back, the holders had enough in hand to edge into the final with a one-goal winning margin.
Here’s how the game unfolded:
2 – Henderson-Hall crossed from the right, Warhurst hooked a shot but Stephenson blocked.
3 – Watford 0 Man City 1 (Warhurst)
Nightmare start as McAidoo steals the ball on the flank and crosses, the ball takes a deflection and Warhurst has time to control and plant it in the corner.
14 – Nabizada releases Smith on the left but his low driven cross is collected by Whatmuff.
18 – Great burst and cross from Smith, the ball deceiving the nearest defender before Okosun had a shot blocked by Braithwaite.
19 – Nice routine from a corner sees the ball returned to Nabizada inside the box but his angled shot was gathered by Whatmuff.
20 – Superb save by Morris who somehow reaches back to stop a goalbound shot from the sliding Warhurst.
26 – Mukasa swung in a free-kick and Mfuni rose well at the back of the six-yard box, Morris parrying his header before dropping on the ball.
30 – City cleared a free-kick and Heskey just beat Stephenson in a leg-race to the ball, but after cutting inside he shot way over the top.
32 – Ramirez-Espain hit a deliberately long corner to Nabizada, who had peeled away, but his volley cleared the target,
33 – Nabizada picked up the ball in midfield, drove forward and then sent a low skidding shot just wide.
36 – Tremendous acceleration from McAidoo got him clear and into the box. Morris did well to tip away his shot and Warhurst sent a follow-up against the post from a tight angle.
37 – Nabizada’s shot was blocked in the box and the ball ran loose. Shevchenko was first to it but tried to have a touch, and when he got a shot away it was blocked.
41 – Another fine save from Morris, who is quick off his line when McAidoo is played into the box and gets his leg to the low shot.
Half-time – Watford 0 Man City 1
58 – It’s Morris to the rescue again as he saves with an outstretched leg when Warhurst is sent clear into the box.
60 – Short corner routine looked to have failed but the ball was eventually worked to Sanghrajka 20 yards out, but he turned and shot over.
61 – Morris a strong contender for man of the match as this time he narrows the angle as Heskey cuts in and saves with his foot.
62 – Gorman collected the ball 40 yards out, drove forward and the shot over the bar as the Watford defence backed off.
65 – Smith did very well to outstrip Henderson-Hall and get to the by-line. He cut the ball back and Okosun shot into the side-netting.
78 – Mukasa curls the free-kick over the wall and towards the top corner, but once again Morris is there to tip it away. Top save.
81 – Fletcher broke down the right and sent an inviting low ball to the back post that Heskey fired wide.
85 – Morris has been quite outstanding tonight, and this time he stands up as Fletcher is played into the box and saves with his body.
87 – Guess what?! Another excellent save from Morris as he pushes away a fierce drive from Mfuni.
Watford: Morris; Stephenson (Hunt 88), Vancea, Ramirez-Espain, Moulton, Georgiou, Shevchenko (Norville 73), Sanghrajka, Okosun, Nabizada (Cowie 90+3), Smith (Galajevs 88). Subs: Thrussell, Riza, Akinyimika.
Attendance: 4,121
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