A dominant and often stylish display from Watford Under-21s saw them wrap up a well-deserved 4-1 win over Wigan at London Colney this afternoon.

Having suffered the embarrassment of being beaten 8-2 at Sheffield United a week ago, this was the perfect riposte as Watford were very good value for the margin of victory and could have had more goals.

At times they played some excellent football, pinging the ball around with one or two touches and their movement off the ball was particularly impressive.

Pick of a very good bunch was Leo Ramirez-Espain, who showed again why he has quickly risen through the Academy ranks and into first-team contention.

His calmness and assured nature meant he always seemed to have time, even in tight situations, and he could see – and then execute – passes in the final third that opened up the visiting defence.

Wide on the left Jake Watkiss had a strong game, both going forward and defending. He took his goal very well, but showed the pace and stamina to provide width in attack and also fulfil his defensive duties against a wide player who was pretty quick himself.

Michael Adu-Poku showed again that he can be an option as either a wing-back or a No.10 as his willingness to run directly at opponents is matched with the speed and determination to get past them.

A good display of attacking play from Jonathan Lawson deserved a goal but he could claim an assist and reflect on an hour of forcing the Wigan defence back, while 16-year-old Raul Vancea again belied his years with a mature performance on the left of the back-three.

The England Under-16 international reads a game very well, is confident in possession and showed that not being the tallest is no barrier to playing in a back three.

The victory lifted Charlie Daniels’ side up to fourth in the Premier League Development League South table and they next face a trip to Everton this Friday (September 13) in the Premier League Cup.

Here’s how the action unfolded:

9 – Massiah-Edwards jinks into box but with options either side, he shoots wide.

11 – Watford 1 (Watkiss) Wigan 0

Really neat exchange down the left between Massiah-Edwards and Watkiss sees the latter burst into the area and score with a fine finish across the keeper.

22 – Ramirez-Espain steals the ball 25 yards out, moves into the box and then fires just wide.

30 – Watford 1 Wigan 1 (Bates)

Not great marking from the Hornets allows Bates to meet a deep corner with a header from beyond the back post that goes in despite almost being blocked on the line.

33 – Watford 2 (Massiah-Edwards) Wigan 1

Parity lasts just three minutes as a strong and direct run from Lawson took him into the box before an unselfish pass right to Massiah-Edwards saw him finish confidently.

HT – Watford 2 Wigan 1

54 – Rare threat from the visitors as Graham attacks from the left but Ortelli palms his drive effort round the near post.

69 – Wigan’s keeper makes an awkward clearance, the ball runs to Adeyemo, but his shot on the turn from 20 yards is wide.

72 – Watford 3 (Nabizada) Wigan 1

A really neat and well-worked goal as Watkiss is set away down the right, he feeds Massiah-Edwards in the box, who in turn slips the ball into the path of Nabizada to sweep home.

74 – Watford 4 (Adu-Poku) Wigan 1

Another goal that would have pleased the coaches as Coyne wins the ball in midfield and then peels away to the left to take a return pass before cutting the ball back for Adu-Poku to score with the aid of a deflection.

76 – Garcia-Romero drives down the right and then feeds the ball inside to Adu-Poku, but the keeper holds his shot.

77 – Another cross from Garcia-Romero, this one low and driven, is almost forced home by Adeyemo and Adu-Poku amid a scramble before the keeper finally drops on the ball.

86 – Watkiss crosses low from the left and Torres gets ahead of his marker at the near-post but his deft touch sends the ball just wide.

90 – Ramirez-Espain curls a 25-yard free kick that forces the keeper into a save.

Watford: Ortelli; Abbott, Watkiss, Coyne, Trialist (Almeida 78), Vancea, Adu-Poku, Ramirez-Espain, Adeyemo (Torres 78), Lawson (Nabizada 60), Massiah-Edwards (Garcia-Romero 73). Unused sub: Browne