Thirteen years ago this week Lloyd Doyley made his Watford debut. On Tuesday night he captained the club’s Under-21 side and one of the co-managers that night, Barry Quin, described the defender as the perfect skipper.

At 31 years old, Doyley was the most experienced member of the Golden Boys squad and is the ideal role model for Watford’s young players.

And he helped the side complete a 1-0 victory in the Under-21 Premier League Cup first qualifying round against Peterborough United.

“Doyley was the perfect skipper,” said Quin after the game. “He helped the players and led them through the game.”

Doyley was joined in defence by Tommie Hoban, hardly a veteran at the age of 20 but the centre-back is a regular member of the first-team squad. Twenty-seven-year goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin also featured.

Quin believes their experience on and off the pitch was vital for the Hornets’ youngsters.

He explained: “Having them in the squad is a definite plus. It’s perfect for them to come in, the young players can then see the way they conduct themselves.

“We’re really pleased that 14 out of the 16-man squad have come through the Academy. They might be senior pros but they are still Watford boys and do things the Watford way.

“It just reinforces the messages we’re trying to get through to the youngsters.”

Young striker Bernard Mensah played his first competitive game in six months against Posh following a knee injury and it was his pass that led to Connor Smith’s first half goal.

Quin said: “I’ve known Bernard for a few years so I am delighted for him. He was petering out but we planned to give him 60 minutes, he could’ve come off earlier or stayed on a tiny bit longer.

“We don’t want to risk someone but to see him firing for so long and taking a proactive role was really positive.”

Quin and head of Academy Chris McGuane took joint charge of the side on Tuesday night as the Hornets continue to search for a permanent replacement for the departed youth coach Dave Hughes.

Quin, who joined the Hornets three-and-a-half seasons ago, has been looking after the Under-18 side in Hughes’ absence in addition to his role as head of Academy coaching.

“My job is to promote the Watford way amongst the staff. We have got a brand and we have got a style,” he explained.

“I’ve got great staff and really good people that you can delegate things to and they can get on with it.

“It is time consuming but then it’s not a job, it’s a way of life. So I’m not complaining.”