WATFORD Academy suffered a bitterly disappointing start to their league campaign with a 7-0 defeat to an excellent Manchester City side on Saturday morning.

At a wet London Colney the Hornets were outplayed in all departments and crashed to a heavy defeat as City started their season with a bang.

Four first-year scholars started the game for the Hornets and they were given a harsh lesson as were the four schoolboys also called into action during the 90 minutes. Carling Cup debutant Kieron Forbes began the game in centre midfield,  Ewan Clarke who was an ununused substitute in the victory over the Gills - started in attack alongside Liam Henderson.

The score at half time was 4-0 and the young 'Orns found themselves 1-0 down after just after five minutes when the ball was tapped in from a few yards out following a melee in the box.

Welsh international Jonathan North in goal for the Hornets had little respite as his net was attacked from all angles. The second strike looked to have hit the side netting from the touchline but North was beaten by a strong, powerful strike.

The movement from Manchester City was first class and their older, more experienced team made light work of the Golden Boys at times. It was soon 3-0 as a ball over the top got the better of the Academy backline and City's free-scoring full back Ryan McGivern got the first of his three goals just before half time to make it four.

Three more strikes were added in the second half including a penalty from McGivern four minutes from time. 

Billy Gibson went off injured for Watford with what looked like a nose injury as boss David Dodds and Sean Dyche called some schoolboys into action from the bench.

Next up for the Academy is Huddersfield away next Saturday morning. 

WATFORD (4-4-2): North; Oshodi (Jeffrey 56), Bennett, Brown, Morgan; Kiernan, Forbes (Sordell 59), Jenkins, Gibson (Cole 70); Henderson, Clarke. Subs not used: Fabrice.

MAN CITY (4-4-2): Hartley; Trippier, Ramsey, Kay, McGivern; Mee, Weiss, Tutte, McDermott; Daly, Mak. Subs not used: Poole, Clegg, Tsakus, Morris, Redshaw.

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