A goal in each half was enough to give Championship side Watford a 2-0 win at Mangata Development Stadium Meadow Park against Boreham Wood in Luke Garrard’s men’s second pre-season match.

The early part of the game was devoid of any chances as Watford predictably controlled possession. However, the Wood backline held firm. On 21 minutes, Mamadou Doumbia went close for the Hornets but headed over the bar when well placed. Three minutes later, Imran Louza forced Nathan Ashmore into a good save from a well-struck free kick. In the 25th minute, Junior Dixon went close for Boreham Wood but his shot was straight at Nathan Baxter in the Watford goal.

Two minutes later, Louza gave the visitors the lead with a well-struck shot after nicking the ball off Trialist A. On 31 minutes, former Spurs midfielder Moussa Sissoko went close with a curling effort. Five minutes later, Mattie Pollock forced Ashmore into a good save from a point-blank header.

HT: Boreham Wood 0-1 Watford

Both sides made a raft of changes in the second half and Pollock went close and was denied again by Ashmore. On 62 minutes, Edo Kayembe fired over for the Hornets when well placed. Seven minutes later, Amin Nabizada doubled Watford’s lead with a neat finish. On 71 minutes, Nabizada nearly scored again but fired over the bar. Six minutes later, Tom Ince went close for the visitors, but his shot was well blocked by Trialist A.

On 82 minutes, Pierre Dwomoh forced Ashmore into a quality save when through on goal. Five minutes later, Matt Rush forced Baxter into an excellent save with Boreham Wood’s best chance of the match.

FT: Boreham Wood 0-2 Watford

It was a good run-out by Luke Garrard’s men against a full-strength Watford squad. Although Wood lost, results aren’t important in pre-season games, and it was good to get some minutes into the lads with the 9th August season opener just a month away.

Boreham Wood (First half): Ashmore, Ilesamni, Trialist A, O’Connell, Trialist B, Dixon, Abdulmalik, Benton, Henry, King, Reynolds.

Boreham Wood (Second half): Ashmore, Coxe, Trialist A, O’Connell, Whelan, Newton, Clayden, Benton, Trialist D, Trialist C, Rush.

Watford: Baxter, Ngakia, Porteous, Pollock, Louza, Vata, Kyprianou, Bola, Sissoko, Doumbia, Massiah-Edwards.

Subs: Keben, Ince, Dwomoh, Morris, Dele-Bashiru, Kayembe, Andrews, Mullins, Nabizada, Sanghrija, Marriott, Macaulay.

Match report written by Brett Lewis.