WATFORD'S Academy head into the hat for the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup after defeating Leyton Orient on their home turf at the Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road.
Two goals in each half completed the 4-0 score line and the Hornets will be very pleased with an encouraging performance in the east end.
The Golden Boys had a storming first 10 minutes which set the pace of the game as they found themselves two goals to the good.
Lee Hodson floated a ball down the right back that stretched the Orient defence. Good running from Matthew Whichelow tempted goalkeeper Daniel Bygrave to come charging out of his goal.
The attacking midfielder got round him and pulled the ball back across goal for Marvin Sordell, who managed to get a good enough connection on the ball to evade the covering defenders and backtracking 'keeper.
The lead was doubled within three minutes as Billy Gibson cut in from the left and unleashed a stinging shot that Bygrave could only parry as far as Sordell, who was waiting on hand to smash the ball home from close range.
Whichelow and Sordell in attack didn't allow the home defence any time to settle and were pressing the back four all the time.
Piero Mingoia then shot at goal on nine minutes and his effort was well handed by Bygrave.
Whichelow then had an attempt himself as his well struck shot stung the hands of Bygrave from within the 18 yard box.
Orient had their first opportunity on 18 minutes as Daryl Sides wriggled free and after a strong run blazed a shot wide of Jonathan North's post.
Three minutes later Sydes got hold of the ball again and North did well to hold his drive.
Orient kept on coming and Harry Beautyman cut in from the left and dinked a shot towards goal that Welshman North did well to get down and save.
Watford kept the ball well and made use of the large pitch at Brisbane Road, spreading the well wide whenever possible and using Cole Penny's range of passing to good effect.
Orient were appealing for a spot kick on 38 minutes as Adam Marsh felt he was pushed by Hodson in the penalty area, however Phillip Knight waved away the protests and pointed for a corner as the ball dribbled out of play.
Neat play from Mingoia wide on the right saw the first year scholar cut inside and slip a ball through to Sordell. He raced on to it as the 'keeper came off his line but he wasn't fast enough to keep the ball in play.
As the temperature dropped further in the east end the teams came back out for the second half.
This time it was more of an even start to the half as the O's more than held than their own.
For the Hornets the assistant referee raised his flag as Mingoia drifted into an offside position after some trickery from Gibson out on the left.
As the half progressed Orient started to inflict more pressure on the 'Orns but they were unable to find a way past North.
Harry Baker floated in an inviting cross but the O's couldn't get a man on the end of it.
Just past the hour mark the Golden Boys made their first change of the evening - bringing on schoolboy striker Gavin Massey for Gibson, who has just returned after injury.
On 65 minutes Massey drilled a shot at goal that was turned around the post by Bygrave.
Sordell then dragged his shot wide of the post after good work from Whichelow, who had switched out to the right while Massey joined Sordell in attack.
On 69 minutes Beautyman's strong driving run from the left flank saw him cut into the area and fire a low shot that was well saved by North.
Mingoia stung the hands of Bygrave on 75 minutes after excellent forward play from Sordell and supporting him Massey. The Orient 'keeper did well to get a strong hand to it and turn it over the bar.
The Golden Boys killed off the home side just before the 80 minute mark as centre half Eddie Oshodi rose tallest to head home a Mingoia corner kick.
Then just moments later on a breakaway, Whichelow stole into the box from the right flank and planted a beautiful drive past the under siege Bygrave.
With the game all but over the 'Orns came close to adding a fifth as Mingoia stole drifted into the box and stuck out a leg to connect with the ball but his effort went wide of the post.
The Academy will be pleased with the performance and result tonight as they did the Club proud against plucky opposition and time will tell if they can carry on that form into the league.
LEYTON ORIENT (4-4-2): Bygrave; Martin, Nelson, O'Donnell (c), Babbs; Baker, Hall, Sydes, Beautyman; Bolle (Manneh 80), Marsh (Argent 52). Subs not used: Giddens (gk), O'Hara, Compton.
WATFORD (4-4-1-1): North; Hodson, Kiernan (c), Oshodi, Lavers; Mingoia, Brooks, Penny, Gibson (Massey 62); Whichelow; Sordell. Subs not used: Otshudi, Antal (gk), Yiadom, Angus.
BOOKINGS; LEYTON ORIENT; Marsh (professional foul 44). WATFORD; none.
SENDINGS OFF: LEYTON ORIENT; none. WATFORD; none.
GOALS: LEYTON ORIENT; none. WATFORD; Sordell (4, 7), Oshodi (78), Whichelow (81).
REFEREE: Mr P Knight.
