WATFORD are through to the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup, sponsored by E.ON, after the Hornets beat Wycombe Wanderers 3-0 this evening (Wednesday).

Three second half goals, including two from Matty Whichelow and one from captain Eddie Oshodi, was the difference between the sides at a soaked Vicarage Road.

The heavens had opened in Hertfordshire during the afternoon and the rain had continued to lash down in WD18 right up until kick off.

However, the downpour stopped as the teams walked out of the tunnel at Vicarage Road.

Mark Warburton selected a full-strength side for the visit of the side from Buckinghamshire.

With the slippery surface both goalkeepers had to be on their guard throughout the 90 minutes.

There was plenty of goalmouth action within the opening half at Vicarage Road.

After just two minutes Piero Mingoia had a low shot saved, the tricky wide man heading towards goal and firing a low shot saved by 'keeper Matt Ingram.

Watford started brightly within the first five minutes, striker Fabrice Otshudi did well a minute after Mingoia's chance to pull the ball back from the by-line, but the Golden Boys couldn't quite get a shot in at goal.

The visitors came back strong through and used their fantastic pace in attack to great effect.

On nine minutes striker Matthew McClure played the ball to midfielder Samuel Belcher, but he could only slash his shot wide when in a tremendous position through on goal.

Watford goalkeeper Jonathan Bond, who has recently been on duty with the first team squad, was spared his blushes shortly after when he failed to clear the ball properly.

It fell to McClure but he couldn't capitalise on the mistake by the Hornets' rookie stopper. 

Tenacious midfielder Kurtney Brooks lashed an effort wide for the home side on 13 minutes as the Golden Boys tried to fight back. 
 
The biggest danger for the 'Orns came from Wycombe's right midfielder Jerome Federico.

Time and time again he found space down the right flank and used his great pace to steam past Theo Angus, who was tasked with keeping him quiet.

Ingram pulled off a top save in the 23 minute, denying Otshudi who directed a sublime header at goal, but the visiting stopper managed to fly through the air and turn the ball round the post.

It was end-to-end now as the Chairboys headed straight down the other end.

Bond tipped a header onto the bar from Belcher after another great break from the visitors towards The Rookery.

The Welshman was in action again in the 26 minute, saving a low shot.

Watford now looked subdued as Wanderers started to take hold, but the Hornets managed to compose themselves and out of nothing Mingoia flashed a fantastic shot wide of the post in the 27 minute.

On the half hour mark, there was an almighty scramble in the Hornets' box as Wycombe launched shots at goal, but Warburton's side survived and eventually cleared their lines.

The teams went in at half time goalless and the Watford management team would have been keen to get their troops together and plan the second 45 minutes.

The talk appeared to do the trick as within five minutes the 'Orns were one goal to the good.

A corner was sent in by Mingoia and captain Oshodi rose tallest and slammed his header past the despairing 'keeper in the Wycombe goal.

Oshodi celebrated frantically in front of the Watford bench, with boss Warburton urging his captain and team to re-group and focus on the remaining minutes.

The second half didn't develop like the first with far fewer chances shared between the sides.

Both teams looked to make the most of the slippery surface, directing long passes out to the flanks, but both defences stood firm with the goalkeepers largely untroubled.

The Golden Boys doubled their lead on 65 minutes and Warburton will have been delighted with the way his young side took their few opportunities after the break.

The lively Matty Whichelow was put through in the penalty box and he managed to withstand pressure from a defender and he finished the move with style at The Rookery End.

Watford looked in full control now and Wycombe would have been regretting some of their missed chances from the first half.

With legs tiring, Whichelow made Wanderers pay as he struck a third.

Gavin Massey fed the ball to the creative player from the left flank and Whichelow latched on to it and smashed the ball home in style to confirm the win.

There were no further goals at Vicarage Road, but Whichelow came agonisingly close to a hat-trick a minute from time as he was denied by Wycombe stopper Ingram.

Moments later Ingram saved his side again as this time he saved at the feet of Massey.

Two minutes of added time was played and at the final whistle Watford's young guns received a standing ovation from those inside Vicarage Road.

WATFORD: Bond; Yiadom, Fenwick, Oshodi, Angus (Thompson 84); Mingoia, Penny (Warburton 60), Brooks, Massey; Otshudi (Murray 54), Whichelow. Subs not used: Irving, Hemati.

GOALS: Oshodi (50), Whichelow (65, 72).

WYCOMBE WANDERERS: Ingram; Grayley, Stewart, Saku, O'Regan; Federico, Scowen (Weemes 88) , Belcher, Harris; McClure, Wallace (Palladino 81). Subs not used: Raphael, Kewley-Graham, Ware.