Goals from Louis Rogers and Dion Pereira were the difference as Watford’s under-18s beat Cardiff City 2-0.

Having enjoyed a mid-season tournament in Japan, which saw the Hornets win the Sani Youth Cup last week, Watford carried their strong form into the Professional Development League meeting with the Welsh outfit.

It took Watford just two-minutes to take the lead as Cardiff failed to deal with a long ball forward to allow Joe Roe to send in a dangerous cross from a corner.

Arriving unchecked, Rogers had the simple task of powering home a header from six-yards to give his side the perfect start.

Watford continued to control proceedings for much of the first half as City struggled to deal with the twin attacking threats of Pereira and Treon Johnson.

It would be Roe who came closest to adding a second before the half-time interval, seeing his curling effort from the edge of the box smartly saved by George Ratcliffe.

The second-half continued in much the same manner as the first had been played, with Watford pushing for the all-important second goal and Cardiff failing to mount a genuine comeback effort.

Eager to make an impression after being introduced from the bench, Jubril Adedeji went close twice in quick succession.

Firstly, he fired just wide after cutting in from the left and then saw a free-kick from long-range fly narrowly over the crossbar.

It took the Hornets until two-minutes from time to seal the three points after Pereira raced clear down the middle and slipped a clinical finish under Ratcliffe.

The under-18s sit sixth in the table after the win and now turn their attention to a league meeting with Sheffield United on Friday.