Barry Quin was delighted with the manner in which Watford Under-18s beat Peterborough United 4-0 in the Youth Alliance Cup yesterday following their weekend defeat against Luton Town.

The young Hornets progressed through to the third round following a brace apiece from Dennon Lewis and Michael Folivi, having lost 3-0 against the Hatters on Saturday.

The interim Under-18 coach said he had decided to concentrate on the mental side of the game due to the Saturday-Tuesday schedule and told the club’s website after the victory: “I know that technically we’re very good, physically we’re fit and tactically we’ve got great knowledge and understanding – Dave Hughes and everyone that’s worked with them have put that into them. The big question was the mental side of it.

“It could have gone two ways, were we going to bounce back or feel sorry for ourselves? When the going gets tough I’ve asked them to give 100 per cent all the time, but also to look around and see someone that they might be able to help achieve their 100 per cent, and I’m delighted with the way they’ve bounced back today.”

After Lewis had twice been denied by Dion Henry, the striker opened the scoring after receiving a Mahlondo Martin pass and rounding the Posh keeper.

Lewis doubled his tally after half-an-hour when a Folivi ball split the back four and his forward partner raced clear to net.

Folivi had an effort cleared off the line before the break, while the visitors struck a post after the restart, before Folivi netted his double in the last ten minutes.

First, he darted past three defenders to poke home following good play by substitute Dion Pereira, and then completed the scoring from the penalty spot after being brought down inside the area.

Watford Under-18s: Rowley; Young, Hall, Stevens, Kyprianou (Cathline 82); Choi (Pereira 64), Makaka, Stewart, Martin (Thomas 82); Lewis, Folivi. Subs not used: Gartside, Ryan.