Watford’s Under-21 side scored five first half goals which laid the platform for a 6-1 victory over Leeds United in the Premier League Under-21 Cup last 16 stage.

Luke O’Nien netted from distance to put the Golden Boys in front and Josh Doherty soon added a second.

Bernard Mensah extended the Hornets advantage before a second goal of the evening from O’Nien and a deft chip from Diego Fabbrini completed the first half rout.

Watford weren’t as prolific in the second period but Mathias Ranegie did power home a sixth before Chris Dawson grabbed a consolation for the visitors.

But Watford had done more than enough and booked their place in the quarter finals of the competition.

The young Hornets lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. Rene Gilmartin was in goal behind a back three of Doherty, triallist Vujadin Savic and Alfie Young. Twenty-four year old Savic has been without a club since leaving Bordeaux last summer.

Mensah, fresh from completing his loan at Barnet, played at right wing-back whilst Mahlondo Martin occupied the left wing-back position.

Sean Murray, George Byers and O’Nien were the midfield trio whilst Italy international Fabbrini and Sweden international Ranegie led the Hornets attack. Watford made the perfect start to the contest and were two goals ahead inside the opening ten minutes.

The deadlock was broken by O’Nien, who is currently on a season-long loan at Conference South side Wealdstone.

The midfielder broke forward with the ball, ignored the calls from Fabbrini and Ranegie and rifled a 25-yard strike into the corner of Eric Grimes goal.

Watford’s added their second moments later. O’Nien advanced into the penalty area and forced Grimes into a full length save.

The resultant corner was taken by Murray and his deep delivery was headed towards goal by Doherty. Grimes managed to collect the ball but it had already crossed the line.

Leeds were shaken but attempted a fight back. Eoghan Stokes shot straight at Gilmartin from 12 yards, a wasted opportunity, before Kalvin Phillips headed a corner well over.

It was a brief respite for the visitors as Watford were soon back in control. And from their next attack the Hornets struck a third.

A break forward was led by Fabbrini and his pass through the Leeds defence was met by captain for the night Murray.

The midfielder steadied himself and shot towards the bottom corner. His effort struck the post and Jake Skelton attempted to clear. But he fired the ball straight at Mensah and the rebound ended in Whites’ goal.

Watford’s onslaught on the Leeds defence continued and the home side struck a fourth nine minutes before the interval.

Fabbrini played Martin in behind the Leeds defence and he crossed for Ranegie. The striker’s initial strike was blocked but the rebound fell to O’Nien who steered his shot past Grimes.

And the Hornets’ fifth of the evening was added moments later.

The visitors were unable to clear following a sustained period of Watford pressure and the ball dropped to Fabbrini 20 yards out.

The Italian took a touch before deftly sending a chip over Grimes and into the net. It was a sumptuous finish.

It was job done by half time. Only the formalities had to be completed, namely the second period.

Leeds, unsurprisingly, were lively after the restart and Luke Parkin twice forced Gilmartin into routine saves.

Watford’s intensity notably dropped after the interval but Martin came close to sixth for the hosts with an over-hit cross which almost found the net. Ranegie had been quiet for the majority of the contest but made an impact just after the hour mark.

He collected the ball, moved into the penalty area and drilled a powerful shot past Grimes and into the net.

Leeds immediately responded and pulled a goal back as Dawson placed the ball past Gilmartin before Phillips headed a presentable cross into the side netting.

The visitors continued to create chances. Luke Brooker glanced a header wide, Frank Mulhern shot straight at Gilmartin before the goalkeeper saved a header from the striker.

Ross Killock then headed over a free kick and it was the same fate for Mulhern in the dying minutes. 

Watford coasted through the second period knowing they had done enough. A place in the last eight awaits the young Hornets.

Watford: Gilmartin; Young, Savic (Rowan 61), Doherty; Mensah, Murray, Byers, O'Nien, Martin (Lewis 63); Ranegie, Fabbrini (Folivi 71).

Watford substitutes: Ammann, Otudeko.

Leeds United: Grimes, Coyle, Killock, Skelton, Denton, Purver, Phillips, Booker, Dawson, Parkin, Stokes (Mulhern 66).

Leeds United substitutes: Atkinson, Bennett, Lyman, McDaid.