The Under-18s recorded a superb 4-1 win at Watford in the PDL Cup on Saturday to move into the next phase of the competition.

It was a cagey start to this local derby after an even opening 20 minutes but the Town took the lead in acrobatic style shortly before the half-hour mark. Fin Evans headed a set-piece across goal and striker Dawid Gawel sent a powerful overhead kick into the top corner.

It got better for the young Hatters 60 seconds later when the lead was doubled. Samuel Hincapie-Alfonso’s shot was parried into the path of Archie Shepherd and after taking a touch the winger finished well from an acute angle to make it 2-0.

It was all the Town and two became three eight minutes before half-time when Shepherd’s cross from the right was met by a first-time finish from Gawel for his second of the afternoon and 28th goal of the season so far.

Just when it seemed like plain sailing, the Hornets pulled one back just before the break when Harry Fox was adjudged to have handled in the box and resultant penalty beat Lucas Thomas.

But the Hatters came close after the interval to restoring their three-goal lead with Shepherd and Fox both going close, the latter seeing a shot cleared off the line.

But it was game over in the 81st minute when a handball in the box led to a Town penalty and Fox coolly made it 4-1 by burying his penalty to seal an excellent victory.

A delighted Deeney said afterwards: “When you’re involved in this club you know the importance of this fixture. The boys knew that and responded brilliantly with a fantastic performance.

“We’ve been a bit off it in recent weeks but they bounced back with a display full of energy, physicality and intensity.

“We were a constant threat and were ruthless in those big moments.”

Town: Thomas, Asamoah Junior, Barnes, Evans, Kwane Anson, Norton, Fox, Isufi, Shepherd, Hincapie-Alfonso, Gawel.

Subs: Flynn, Ed-Okungbowa, Lesser, Frimpong-Kwakye, Joy.