Watford Under-23s were steamrollered by their Cardiff City counterparts in Wales last night, as the Bluebirds inflicted a 7-1 thrashing on their visitors at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Harry Kewell named a trialist in his 3-5-2 starting line-up, but the un-named player was removed after 75 minutes for Jesus Cabrera.

Following an uneventful opening half-hour, three goals inside five minutes before the break put the home side in full control.

Cardiff winger Macauley Southam opened the scoring after ghosting in behind the Hornets' defence and beating Charlie Bannister.

A deflected Robbie Patten shot gave them a two-goal lead within moments and another followed from Jamie Bird's free-kick, again via a nick off a Hornets defender.

After a brief respite, Cardiff resumed their demolishing of the Hornets, when James Waite was given time to slot the ball beyond a stranded Bannister.

Dennon Lewis got the visitors on the scoresheet to restore some pride following a fine pass from Charlie Rowan, before firing beyond former Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos.

Their joy was shortlived as the onslaught from the hosts again continued when Waite completed a brace with a well-placed strike into the far corner.

He turned that into a hat-trick soon after with another slick finish, following good work by Keenan Patten.

And the thorn in the Hornets' side got a fourth for himself in injury time to inflict the final punishment on Harry Kewell's side, who are now four points adrift at the bottom of the south division of the Under-23 Professional Development League.

The Hornets have had a wretched 2017, winnig only once and conceding 22 goals in their six games during the calendar year.