Town's reserves started their Football Combination Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Watford at Boreham Wood. Jordan Rhodes scored twice and Dean Bowditch once as the Blues deservedly beat the Hornets.

Rhodes put Town in front in the third minute. Dean Bowditch had been all but upended by Watford keeper Richard Lee but managed to keep going and crossed for Rhodes who tapped in. Had the Blues not scored then it would almost certainly have been a penalty.

Town's second came in the 13th minute when Danny Haynes crossed, Bowditch flicked on and Rhodes slotted home.

Alan Quinn managed to miss an open goal when it seemed easier to score in the second half, much like Jobi MacAnuff's effort on Saturday, and the Blues had to wait until the 90th minute for their third goal.

Bowditch was felled in the area and took the spotkick himself. Keeper Lee saved it, but the former England U19 international hit the net with the rebound.

Late on, Quinn was replaced with Paul Murphy by reserve boss Chris Kiwomya after being given a final warning by the referee following an earlier booking.

Town were much the better side throughout, although Watford improved after the break. Central defensive pairing Tommy Smith and Pim Balkestein impressed, while Rhodes looked sharp in front of goal, but the top performer was David Norris, who looks like he could be returning to first team levels of fitness.

With the transfer window about to close, it was no surprise that neither Jim Magilton nor any members of his senior coaching staff were present.

Reserves: Supple; Peters, Smith, Balkestein, Robinson, Haynes, Reason, Norris, Quinn (Murphy 86), Rhodes, Bowditch. Subs not used: Ward, Watson, Hyam, Wickham. Att: 118.

Photo: Action Images

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