An instinctive strike from Kash Odiase took Watford Under-18s into the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup.

The young Hornets beat Oxford 2-1 at Kings Langley’s Orbital Fasteners Stadium in a game where they always had the edge without ever being able to dominate.

The visitors always posed a threat on the counter-attack, and it was from one such foray that they earned the penalty which wiped out the lead Amin Nabizada had given Watford in the first half.

However, parity only lasted four minutes until Odiase capped an impressive line-leading display with the winning goal.

Nabizada and Zavier Massiah-Edwards both caught the eye, clearly benefitting from regular Under-21 outings as well as time spent with the first team.

In midfield, Hayden Barrett had a fine evening, showing for the ball in tight spaces, keeping it simple but also willing to spray a pass or drive forward when the opportunity arose.

Keeper Sam Morris was confident between the posts, handling well on a night when constant drizzle made the ball greasy as well as making some vital saves at key times.

Overall, Watford deserved their victory but were made to work hard for it by an Oxford side who used pace on the break to always keep the Hornets on their toes.

Here’s how the game unfolded.

2 - Massiah-Edwards cut in and shot over from 20 yards.

3 - Burton turned smartly on Oxford’s right, sped forward and cut into box before Morris blocked his cross-shot at the near post.

5 - A cross was deflected and dropped for Massiah-Edwards whose first-time shot grazed the back post.

6 – Odiase got away down the right, his cut-back ran behind Nabizada but Massiah-Edwards saw his shot pushed away by keeper Patel.

10 – Griffiths teed up Bradney who shot over from the edge of the box.

23 - Nabizada found space on the left, cut in and curled a shot wide.

28 – Watford 1 (Nabizada) Oxford 0

Vancea’s ball down the left allowed Nabizada to totally fool his marker, drawing him in and spinning then accelerating into and across the box before shooting past Patel and a defender on the line.

30 – Moulton failed to clear a through ball, Lee ran onto it and got past Stephenson, but Morris parried his low shot.

44 - Nabizada and Massiah-Edwards exchanged passes on the left, Nabizada’s cross beat Patel but dropped onto the roof of the net.

Half-time – Watford 1 Oxford 0

46 – Lee crossed from the left and Bradney met it with a shot that went narrowly wide of the near post.

51 – Stephenson burst away down the right, cut in and sent a left-foot shot wide of back post.

52 - Vancea stole the ball, Nabizada fed Shevchenko 20 yards out but he fired wide.

55 – Burton worked his way into the box before being pushed over by Vancea and referee Mr Steele pointed to the spot.

55 – Watford 1 Oxford 1 (Lee)

The Oxford striker sent Morris the wrong way to equalise.

59 – Watford 2 (Odiase) Oxford 1

Watford cleared a corner and Massiah-Edwards did well to hold ball up and set Shevchenko racing away down left. He drove into box and when his low shot hit Odiase, he instinctively turned and slotted into corner.

67 – Shevchenko’s cross from the right ran to back of box, Massiah-Edwards retrieved it but shot into the side-netting.

70 – Griffiths won the ball on the left and surged into the box, sending a shot beyond Morris but against the far post.

77 – Lacey met a corner with a firm header but Morris took off to make an excellent fingertip save.

86 – Nabizada’s deep corner was headed down by skipper Georgiou, and substitute Galajevs sent a half-volley over the target.

90+2 – Bennett released Nabizada down the right but his drilled cross was poked over the bar by the sliding Massiah-Edwards.

90+5 – Watford maintained possession as the clock ticked down before working it to Massiah-Edwards on the right and his shot forced a fine save from Patel.

Full-time – Watford 2 Oxford 1

Watford: Morris; Stephenson, Vancea, Moulton, Georgiou, Sanghrajka, (Akinyimika 60) Massiah-Edwards, Barret, Odiase (Galajevs 81), Nabizada, Shevchenko (Smith 75). Unused subs: Braverman, Scriven, Sala, Riza.