Irish-Ghanaian defender James Abankwah found the net for Watford, but it proved to be mere consolation as they suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium in Championship Round 45.The 22-year-old scored in the 48th minute, assisted by Kévin Keben, to briefly reduce the deficit to 2-1.However, Middlesbrough dominated proceedings with Morgan Whittaker scoring twice in the 6th and 58th minutes, David Strelec adding another in first-half stoppage time, and Tommy Conway completing the rout with a penalty in the 75th minute and a final goal in the 90th minute.James Abankwah has now made 30 appearances in the 2025/26 Championship campaign, playing 2,512 minutes while recording one goal and zero assists. The center-back received a yellow card during the match and has accumulated five bookings this season. Watford is 16th on the league table with 57 points after 45 games.Watford will look to bounce back when they host Coventry City at Vicarage Road on Saturday, May 2, 2026.