A youthful Watford side advanced into the third round of the Herts Senior Cup after the Hornets completed a 2-0 win against Hadley.

With the first-team squad in Burnley for their Championship clash, the Watford squad was made up of Academy scholars and first-year pros and goals from Luke O’Nien and Bernard Mensah were enough for the Hornets.

Watford controlled the opening 45 minutes and Hadley’s chances were limited. Mensah fired a shot over the crossbar before the breakthrough came on the half-hour mark.

O’Nien broke through the home side’s defence and his shot beat Hadley goalkeeper Russell Garland.

The lead was almost doubled minutes later as Mensah saw a curled effort pushed clear by Garland.

Hadley almost levelled at the end of the half as Jordan Watson headed narrowly wide and Charlie Smith forced Matthew Hall into a clearance of his goal line.

The hosts threatened early into the second period and Hornets stopper Arie Ammann saved from Watson.

Hadley's missed chances proved costly as Watford doubled their advantage. A cross into the area was met by Mensah and he powerfully headed home.

The Hornets saw out the contest with little fuss to secure their place in the next round of the competition.

Hadley: Garland; Smith, Dawson (Hudson, 80) Massey, Milton, Sabag, Metivier (Crockett 80), Bambridge, Watson, Ridgway, Machado (Omotosho 83).

Hadley substitutes: Bartlett, Strzelecki.

Watford: Ammann; Young (Kyprianou 50), Hall, Doherty; Bawling, Cox, O’Nien, Dillon, Martin; Mensah, Jakubiak (Lewis 45).

Watford substitutes: Wilks, Hope, Otudeko.