WATFORD'S young Hornets were beaten by their older opposition at the weekend as the Sky Blues used their experience to good effect.

Similarly to the first team squad, the Academy has been decimated by injuries of late. Missing was Billy Gibson, Eddie Oshodi, Louis Lavers, Piero Mingoia, Fabrice Otshudi and Theo Angus.

The Golden Boys started with four schoolboys and it was that jump up in age difference that proved to be too much.

Coventry started strongly as a Jamie Greenway effort was hacked off the line for a corner.

Then Matty West scored the first of his two goals on seven minutes as he struck a sweet shot from 20 yards.

With less than 25 minutes on the clock they doubled their lead when Shaun Jeffers slotted home Sean Fraser's cross from a few yards out.

Watford pulled a goal back just two minutes later as wide man Michael Bryan cut inside from the flank and struck a great shot that evaded the dive of 'keeper Michael Quirke.

This was amidst a strong period of pressure from the visitors; however they couldn't match their possession with a goal for their efforts.

The Sky Blues took advantage of a move breaking down and added a third - Fraser finishing the move off from 10 yards.

Mark Warburton's and Sean Dyche's side showed character though as they reacted by netting at the other end. Schoolboy Gavin Massey met a cross from the left flank and banged the ball home from close range.

The hosts added a fourth through West, with a far post header and they finished the game off late on when a Fraser strike flew past Welsh 'keeper Jonathan North. 

Watford were reduced to 10 men in the closing stages as Bryan was sent off for foul and abusive language.

The Academy are next in action this Saturday (12 October) against MK Dons.

COVENTRY CITY: Quirke; Clarke, Cameron (Hollist 80), Fraser, Jones; Wynter, Cain, Leluu (Grandison 46); Jeffers (Ogelby 71), West, Greenway. Subs not used: Burge, Grogan.

WATFORD: North, Thompson (Penny 45), Hodson, Kiernan, Hemati; Bryan, Whichelow (Drmola 70), Isaac (Kassler 75), Yiadom; Sordell, Massey. Subs not used: Antal, Fenwick. 

SENDINGS OFF: COVENTRY CITY; none. WATFORD; Bryan (foul and abusive language, 90).

SCORERS: COVENTRY CITY; West (7, 49), Jeffers (23), Fraser (38, 77). WATFORD; Bryan (25), Massey (39).

REFEREE: J Mellor.

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