WATFORD'S second string will be happy with their first performance and result of the season as the 'Orns overcame Leyton Orient by four goals to nil at Brisbane Road this afternoon (Tuesday).

A double strike from Lewis Young and goals from Liam Henderson and John-Joe O'Toole won the game for the visitors as the Hornets took a strong, youthful squad to the east end of London.

Malky Mackay opted to play O'Toole as a right back, instead of Ross Jenkins who has often filled that position for the second string.

O'Toole started as part of a back four also featuring Dale Bennett, Cedric Avinel and captain Jordan Parkes.

It was a lively start to proceedings as the Hornets found themselves under pressure in the first attack of the game.

O'Toole, still acclimatizing to his new position, brought down an Orient man to give away a free kick in a dangerous position, but fit-again Richard Lee was commanding and easily gathered the ball.

Then it was the 'Orns who broke quickly and found themselves a goal to the good.

Mackay and Co. will have been pleased with the sharpness of the attacking players - wingers Billy Gibson on the left and Lionel Ainsworth on the right were always a threat with their pace and direct running.

Orient defender Chris Robson was adjudged to have handled just outside of the penalty area and Young calmly stepped up and planted a clinical free kick past goalkeeper Jamie Jones - with less than five minutes on the clock.

The next penalty box action came in the 21st minute when the Golden Boys were left slightly short at the back after an attacking move. Skipper Parkes was the last man and Orient striker Simon Dawkins ran at the former Academy player.

He danced into the penalty area and with Watford struggling to get numbers back he turned Parkes and fired a powerful shot at goal from 10 yards out. Luckily for the visitors Lee was equal to his drive and parried the ball over the crossbar.

Throughout the game Ainsworth gave Orient's Aiden Palmer a tough test, during the first period he beat his man on four occasions - dinking in and out before driving into the penalty area and forcing saves from Jones.

The hosts came so close to leveling the scores in the 35th minute when a through ball sliced the Watford defence in half as Avinel couldn't quite get his boot to it.

It released Orient's Bradley Gray and he tried a chipped shot which went just over the bar.

However the Hornets responded in the best possible way and doubled their lead thanks to the precision shooting of Henderson.

Watford won the ball in midfield and after the Gateshead born striker collected a pass he took the ball on before curling a shot round the 'keeper and into the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.

Still the chances came - again Gray got free in attack for the O's and his long range effort bounced wide of Lee's left hand post, in what proved to be the final chance of the opening 45 minutes. 

Mackay's men extended their lead to three shortly after the interval when O'Toole made no mistake from a few yards out.

Gibson was picked out directly from a corner and after his effort crashed back off the bar, the Irishman was in the right position to bury the ball home much to the displeasure of the Orient 'keeper. 

A few minutes later and the 'Orns were in the swing of things again with Gibson running at will at the home defence, this time thought he blasted a drilled shot over the woodwork.

The teams then cancelled each other until Ainsworth started his darting runs again, twice he danced into the area and both runs resulted in strikes which were again excellently dealt with by 'keeper Jones.

Meanwhile for the hosts, Loick Pires supplied a beautiful cross for Gray and his delicate header went just wide of Lee's right hand post.

The O's had a penalty shout turned down as sub Adam Marsh went tumbling to the ground after a challenge from Parkes. Marsh then went on a mazy run before firing wide of the Watford goal.

Both sides starting make full use of their substitutes and during the changes the Hornets made the score 4-0 with the pick of the bunch from Young.

The ball fell to the youngster just outside of the penalty box and he delivered a stunning drive that flew into the top corner to leave the goalkeeper with no chance.

It was a promising start to the season for the young second string as they excelled on the large Brisbane Road pitch in the rare August sunshine.

Lee will also be delighted to get through his first full game of the season, while the youngsters put themselves forward for selection with the next round of the Carling Cup just around the corner. 
 
LEYTON ORIENT (4-4-2): Jones; Cave-Brown, Thelwell (c), Robson, Palmer; Martin (Argent 70), Beautyman, Sydes (Bollie 84), Pires; Gray, Dawkins (Marsh 66). Subs not used: Giddens (gk), O'Donnell.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Lee; O'Toole, Bennett, Avinel, Parkes (c); Gibson (Hunter 76), Bangura, Jenkins (Hodson 67), Ainsworth (Mingoia 76); L Young, Henderson. Subs not used: Antal (gk), Oshodi.

BOOKINGS: LEYTON ORIENT: none. WATFORD; none

SENDINGS OFF: LEYTON ORIENT; none. WATFORD; none.

GOALS: LEYTON ORIENT; none. WATFORD; L Young (3, 77), Henderson (37), O'Toole (50).

REFEREE: M McLaughlin.