A LATE strike from forward Will Hoskins sent the Hornets through to the next round of the League Cup at Vicarage Road as the new-look young 'Orns left it late to defeat a plucky Bristol Rovers side.

Hoskins netted his first strike for the club with just two minutes remaining as he calmly kept his head to finish off the challenge of the Pirates.

The Watford side at the end of the game had a very youthful look that will hopefully have given supporters a taste of what is to come from the new talent at the club.

It was neat build-up play for the goal that involved Academy winger and debutant Billy Gibson as he had a hand in the strike. The referee waved played on after Mat Sadler was fouled and Gibson found space as the ball ended up with Hoskins inside the box.

The ex-Rotherham striker controlled himself and planted a shot past the Pirates 'keeper to send the 'Orns into the next round of the cup.

Where there's a Will there's a way

The first home game of the 2008/09 season brought with it a slice of cup action at Vicarage Road as Rovers visited Hertfordshire hoping to continue their recent good run in cup competitions.

It may have been August but it certainly didn't seem like it as the heavens opened before kick-off making for a wet and slippery surface as the teams entered the pitch.

Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd handed full debuts to rookie 'keeper Scott Loach, Academy midfielder Ross Jenkins and front man Theo Robinson, now back at the club after a campaign on loan at Hereford United.

While Lewis Young and Gibson were also handed debuts from the substitutes' bench by the gaffer during the second half.

However there was still enough experience within the side as Leigh Bromby, Lloyd Doyley and Sadler were all included in a strong back-line. Indeed Doyley was made captain for the evening - while Damien Francis started his first game since January in midfield.

Sadler sures up the strong looking back line

Hoskins brought about the first save of the game from Steve Phillips with a low 20 yard shot that skidded off the surface.

With just less than 10 minutes on the watch Jenkins threaded a lovely ball down the wing - nearly into the path of Lionel Ainsworth, but the ball slowed up to deny the ex-Derby man a run down on goal.

Jenkins had settled nicely in the centre of the park alongside the returning Francis and got plenty of early touches to settle any pre-game nerves.

Hoskins soon turned provider - swinging a deep cross in to Jon Harley at the far post who tried his luck only to see his header fly wide of the Bristol goal.

Paul Trollope's men had been happy to sit back and soak up the pressure from the Golden Boys until just before the quarter of an hour mark when midfielder Jeff Hughes crept into the penalty box.

He collected a sweet pass and turned and chipped the ball over Loach - luckily for the 'Orns his effort slid wide of Loach's right hand post.

The home side hadn't been knocked out of their stride though as they continued to force the opposition further back.

Livewire Robinson nearly opened the scoring after a neat ball through from Hoskins and the Pirates suffered a stroke of bad luck when a clearance hit their own man on the back and headed in the direction of Hoskins.

Theo Robinson causing problems for a Rovers' defender

Jenkins continued to stamp his own authority on the game with a series of important interceptions and simple but effective passes.

The 17-year-old with the famous name made a timely hook away from Loach's goal after the Pirates swept a ball in from their right flank.  

Robinson was still playing on the Pirates' backline and he easily evaded his marker after a long punt down the field from the Watford defence.

However the front man didn't get enough power behind his shot as Phillips made a relatively easy save. Winger Ainsworth was frustrated as he had been baying for the ball from the other side of the penalty area.

The Pirates continued to create relatively good chances though, generally against the run of play, this time it was midfielder Darryl Duffy who connected with the ball and launched an audacious chip from 25 yards out that only narrowly missed the target.

Just before the half time whistle Rover's David Pipe ghosted into the area and swept a cross-cum-shot that curled far too close to Loach's goal for his liking.

Sadler defends for second clean sheet of the season

 But the 'Orns survived and the sides went in goalless at half time after a first period where both sides had shown glimpses of what they could produce. 

The rain once again lashed down on Vicarage Road as the teams made their way out for the second half.

The Golden Boys picked up their tempo and there was plenty of nice touches and flicks from Hoskins, Robinson and Ainsworth.

Jenkins drilled a strong 25-yard drive that flew wide of Phillips' left hand post - but the 'Orns were positive after the break and looked contented to continue plucking away at the visitors.

The Pirates enjoyed their best spell of pressure around the hour mark with neat interplay down their right flank as they swung in some dangerous crosses and forced a corner that was delivered well into the box.

Despite the flurry of activity the Golden Boys hadn't been hit out of their stride as Francis lashed a powerful shot over the bar as the home side threatened to open the scoring. 

With just under a quarter of an hour remaining Watford had a great opening when after a quick passing movement Hoskins' deflected shot looped agonisingly just over the bar.

Gibson's introduction stretched the play further with the Academy winger occupying a wide left position and Robinson doing the same job on the right with Hoskins and Young getting in little pockets of space down the centre.

It was then left for Hoskins to win it for the 'Orns as his hard work for the evening finally paid off as the striker claimed his first vital goal for the Golden Boys.

Hugs for Hoskins as he hits the winner

WATFORD (4-4-2): Loach; Doyley (c), Bromby, Mariappa, Sadler; Ainsworth (Young 57), Francis (Bangura  70), Jenkins, Harley (Gibson 60); Hoskins, Robinson. Subs not used: Poom (gk), Henderson, Parkes, Avinel.

BRISTOL ROVERS (4-4-2): Phillips; Pipe, Anthony, Elliott, Lescott; Lines, Campbell (c), Disley, Hughes (Rigg 89); Lambert, Duffy (Williams 80). Subs not used: Green (gk), Hinton, Hunt, Parrinello, Reece.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. BRISTOL ROVERS; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. BRISTOL ROVERS; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Hoskins (88). BRISTOL ROVERS; none

ATTENDANCE: 5574 (291 visiting Bristol Rovers supporters).

REFEREE: D Whitestone.