WATFORD'S reserve side wrapped up their season with a free-scoring 4-4 draw at Northampton Town on Tuesday and David Kerslake believes the second string provides a perfect stepping stone for the Club's youngsters.

The Hornets finished top of the pile in the totesport.com Combination East Division after winning 13 of the 18 league fixtures.

The line-up for the Golden Boys has often been inexperienced but First Team Coach Kerslake has been pleased with the attitude of the group all season long.

He said: "Right from the very first game any player who has come into the team has given what we expect and we've proved to be successful."

Kerslake's role at the Club is very much focused on developing further talent for Malky Mackay's first team.

The likes of Ross Jenkins and Lee Hodson have become first team squad players after being blooded in the second team, the duo in fact played under the watchful eye of Malky during his days as First Team Coach.

Speaking on his role this season, although delighted with the league finish, the emphasis for Kerslake is on developing youngsters.

He said: "There was no briefing for me in terms of a league finish, part of my job is to help develop players.

David Kerslake

"We've had quite a few boys come through into the first team via the reserves, and when the first team players have come out back into the reserves, I've tried to set a standard that the first team manager expects and they've all stuck to it."

Dale Bennett was heavily involved in the fight for Championship survival towards the end of the season and he was one of the standout players for Kerslake over the course of the season.  

"Dale Bennett has been magnificent for me at the back" added the former defender. 

"Liam Henderson as well has had a tremendous season for the reserves and scored a huge amount of goal, especially over recent games. People like Piero Mingoia and Gavin Massey have also all done exceptionally well.

Gavin Massey

"It's a stepping stone and I know the manager feels quite passionate that there is a stepping stone."

Kerslake points to displays in the two victories over Norwich as highlights of the season for the reserves, as well as the clashes with Ipswich

"There have been games where the opposition had weaker teams out, but certainly when we played Norwich and Ipswich, we more than matched them and went on and beat them."

Kerslake has also been taking the Under-18 side during the second half of the campaign and many of the same group have stepped up to feature for the reserves.

Watford's season at this level saw the youngsters reach the FA Youth Cup final where they were knocked out by eventual winners Chelsea.

Speaking about the cup run, Kerslake added: "We took the team to Hartlepool in an earlier round where they dominated the game and won 2-0.

"Then to go to Anfield where Liverpool felt they were one of the favorites, we more than matched them and we were never really in trouble.

"Chelsea was that one step too far for us at the time, maybe the occasion was a little bit too much for them."

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