Watford Under-23s slumped to their heaviest defeat of the season after being thrashed 8-0 at Ipswich Town.

The Hornets ended their four-month winless run last week after beating Crystal Palace but failed to build on this after their crushing defeat to the Tractor Boys in the Professional Development League.

Harry Kewell's side, who came up against a strong Ipswich team featuring a number of first-team players, fell behind early on when Monty Patterson fired home.

Brice Dja Djédjé, who has been left out of the Hornets' Premier League squad, went close for the visitors but his shot was saved by goalkeeper Michael Crowe.

Ipswich doubled their lead when Patterson tapped in at the back post.

It was quickly 3-0 after George Fowler headed the ball past keeper Nathan Gartside.

The evening got even worse for the Hornets as they conceded two more goals before the break.

Kieffer Moore took advantage of a poor backpass to score from a tight angle and Patterson completed his hat-trick to make it 5-0 at half-time.

The hosts added a sixth goal straight after the restart through Dominic Samuel and the striker quickly scored his second of the game.

Watford's misery was completed late on when Samuel scored his hat-trick.

Watford: Gartside, Eleftheriou, Mason, Stewart, Ryan, Rowan, Dja Djedje (Charles, 61), Ovenden, Lewis, Obi, Pereira