Matheus Martins grabbed a hat-trick as Watford Under-21s romped to a 7-0 thrashing of Peterborough in the rain at Vicarage Road.

The Brazilian took all three goals very well – one a fine curling finish after a solo run – and he looked a threat every time he got the ball.

Interestingly, he played on the left of a forward three rather than as an out-and-out wide man, and having licence to cut in as well as go down the flank seemed to give him confidence and belief.

Hassane Kamara played an hour at left wing-back, and looked solid and combative as well as very willing to get forward and attack.

Substitute James Collins came off the bench at half-time and scored twice – the first was a particularly noteworthy finish, a lob over a stranded keeper that was about as delicate and accurate as you’ll see.

Adrian Blake was, as is now the norm, a proper nuisance to Peterborough all game with his willingness to run at the defence and deploy a vast range of flicks, turns and step-overs.

There was also a solid and strong display from Jordan Fankwe, who looked far more comfortable in midfield than when he’s been played in defence.

The Watford threat was obvious almost instantly as, inside the first minute, a quickly-taken free from Blake released Andrews down the right, and when he crossed Martins fired a volley just wide of the near post.

In the 11th minute a neat piece of skill from Andrews released Blake to run at the Posh defence. He moved into the box and made space for a shot, but a lunging defender deflected it wide.

From the resultant corner Blake sent a superb ball right to the forehead of Holding. His powerful header took a nick off a defender and Laycock had to tip it over the bar.

The visitors’ first sight of goal came after 16 minutes when Mensah managed to get to by-line and his drag-back was fired wide by Randall.

Six minutes later Randall made space 25 yards out and turned to release a curling shot that Macaulay dived to hold.

Watford went ahead in the 28th minute when Blake broke away down the left and the Hornets had four on two. The Posh defenders were stretched and that allowed Blake to get right into the box before drilling a low shot past the advancing Laycock with the ball going into the net off the shins of an incoming defender.

Watford Observer: Adrian Blake puts Watford in front against PeterboroughAdrian Blake puts Watford in front against Peterborough (Image: Alan Cozzi/Watford FC)

The visitors responded and centre half Kell was still up front when a half-cleared set piece was returned into the box, but his header was straight at Macaulay.

It was 2-0 in the 33rd minute. Fankwe battled well to win the ball in midfield and then slid a fine pass inside the full back for Andrews. He accelerated to the by-line and centred for Martins to hammer the ball home.

The Brazilian had another chance just before the break when he moved onto a pass from Blake but didn’t catch hold of his shot properly and Laycock held.

Collins came on at half time and needed less than a minute to get on the scoresheet. Abbot played a superb ball over the top and in behind the Posh defence, allowing the striker to run through and then beat Laycock with a brilliantly measured lob from just inside the box to make it 3-0.

It was 4-0 after 49 minutes and the goal was all about Martins.

Watford cleared a corner and the Brazilian gathered the ball ten yards inside his own half, before turning and sprinting into the Posh half through the inside-left channel. Collins had made great ground to his right and that was enough to drag one of the visiting defenders away, opening up space for Martins to cut in on his right foot and curl a shot past Laycock from the edge of the box.

It could so easily have been five just three minutes later as Kamara went on a marauding run down the left that took him all the way into the visitors’ box. He looked up and dragged the ball across the box - Andrews strode onto it and sent a well-struck effort just over the bar from 16 yards.

However it was 5-0 in the 55th minute. Collins got away down the left and when his cross was blocked, Martins was on hand to sweep the ball home and complete his hat-trick.

The Hornets passed up a golden chance to get their sixth in the 67th minute when Manning won a penalty after having his shirt tugged in the box, only to see his spot kick blocked by Laycock’s legs.

However, they didn’t have to wait long as four minutes later Manning skipped past a challenge on the left of the box and then rolled a pass square for Collins to score.

With nine minutes left Coyne broke away down the left and centred for Adeyemo to send the ball over the bar on the stretch.

It was 7-0 in the 87th minute when Andrews got away down the right and picked out Manning at the back of the box, and he lashed the ball into the net.

A truly miserable afternoon for Peterborough was compounded two minutes later when substitute Challinor was shown a straight red by referee Emily Heaslip for a foul on Manning in the centre circle.

Watford: Macaulay; Andrews, Kamara (Delyfer 60), Coyne, Abbott, Holding, Grieves (Collins ht), Fankwe (Davis 74), Martins (Adeyemo 69), Blake, Manning. Sub not used: Browne