Under-21: Watford 7-0 Colchester United

Watford returned to winning ways in some style with a dominant 7-0 victory over Colchester United in the PL Professional Development League.

Six first-half goals, including braces from Jonathan Lawson and 15-year-old Mathis Eboue alongside efforts from Zavier Massiah-Edwards and Kévin Keben, essentially ended the game as a contest at the break.

Josh Keyes rounded out the victory late in the second half, with the Under-21s earning a first win in five games in exceptional fashion. 

Assistant Coach Dan Gosling told watfordfc.com after the game: “A dominant display. Some of the goals were really good, some of the attacking play was really good, so we are really pleased with that.

“There are still one or two things we could be better at, but overall a good positive day.

“We have come off the back of a disappointing month results-wise. The performances have been there, the chances have been there, and we have created a lot, but we just haven’t been clinical enough.

“That was the key message, getting the chances and taking them, and that is what we did today, and that is why the scoreline is like it is. 

“Mathis is an exceptional talent. I think everyone knows it at the club, and again today he showed why there is such a lot of hype about him.

“To come on at Under-21 level and hold your own, and look like one of our players, is really, really positive for him.

“We will look forward to reviewing that back!”

The floodgates were opened early on when Lawson ran onto a through ball and saw an effort parried by Harrison Chamberlain into the path of the onrushing Eboue, who couldn't miss from close range.

The former then grabbed his first of the afternoon, latching onto a loose back pass before knocking it past the isolated keeper and finishing smartly from a tight angle. 

The third came soon after, with Albert Eames using his strength to get the better of the left-back and get hold of a long ball, before charging down the wing and delivering a cut-back that Massiah-Edwards dispatched confidently.

It was then the turn of opposite wing-back Jake Watkiss to put in an equally-impressive cross that allowed Lawson to get in front of his man and send a first-time finish out of the goalkeeper's reach for his second.

Summer signing Keben started the game as he ramped up his recovery from a knee injury, and added his name to the scoresheet having stayed up from a corner and being in the right place to tap home after Watkiss' fired shot took several deflections. 

Alex Kokoshi and Ollie Godziemski then had shots blocked for the visitors, before Eboue demonstrated maturity beyond his years by evading several challenges in the box and slotting home into the bottom corner with his weaker foot for Watford's sixth.

Keyes had a chance to pick things up where they left off after the interval, only for his effort to be blocked, before James Clarridge did well to put off Kaleel Green as he ran onto a long ball, with the striker's shot sailing over the bar.

Imrân Louza fired two chances over the bar and Keyes was denied again, this time by the post, while Amine Sassi saw his chance of a consolation go over the bar.

It was then third time lucky for Keyes, with the forward getting a deserved goal by slamming home from a Freddie Buers cross to round-out an excellent, and much-needed, display. 

The Under-21s will be back in action at London Colney next Monday (November 4, 1pm KO) when they host Queens Park Rangers.

Watford: Macaulay, Eames (Garcia-Romero 56), Watkiss (Buers 56), Keben (Abbott HT), Clarridge (C), Kamga, Eboue, Coyne, Lawson, Louza (Sikiru 66), Massiah-Edwards (Keyes 45).