WATFORD Academy could never recover from a disastrous start to the game after going down to West Ham 3-0 within the opening eight minutes.

The Hornets managed to pull one back midway during the first half but the Hammers proved too strong overall and ran out 4-2 winners at Little Heath to pick up their first points of the new season.

After managing to tighten things up defensively against Huddersfield Town last weekend, following the poor start to the season against Manchester City, the Hornets were looking to record their first win of the season.

However goals from Fred Sears, Bondz N'Gala and Ben Hunt put the game beyond reach early on for the youngsters - Hunt finished things off for the third following up after the Hammers hit the post.

Kieron Forbes pulled one back but West Ham continued to attack and scored their fourth through substitute Zavon Hines. Liam Henderson found the back of the net to pull another one back for the young 'Orns but it proved to be too little to late.

WATFORD: North, Imudia, Oshodi, Jenkins, Beech, Bennett (Sordell 37), Maxwell, Kiernan (Otshudi 63), Henderson, Forbes, Gibson. Subs not used: Owusu.

Scorers: Forbes, Henderson.

WEST HAM UNITED: Street, O'Neill, Miller, Ngala, Payne, Harvey, Stanislas (Hines), Lee, Hunt (Fry), Sears, Fitzgerald. Subs not used: Ashman, Blackmore, Blackwell.  

Scorers: Sears, N'Gala, Hunt, Hines.