A FIRST half strike from Tommy Smith gave the Hornets all three points at Vicarage Road this afternoon as Aidy Boothroyd's new look Watford side made it three clean sheets in a row to make it a successful start to the new season.

The Addicks rarely gave the experienced Mart Poom much to do, while Nicky Weaver in the Charlton goal pulled off some terrific saves, particularly in the second half.

Watford received a standing ovation from the home crowd at the end as the Vicarage Road faithful appreciated the in-roads made by Boothroyd's troops since the end of the last campaign.

Boss Boothroyd named an unchanged starting 11 from the one that put in such a promising display at Selhurst Park seven days ago.

There was one change though on the substitutes' bench as the Hornets welcomed new loanee striker Grzegorz Rasiak, after he was signed on a season loan deal from Championship rivals Southampton yesterday.

Tommy celebrates the winner with a clench of the fist

Alan Pardew's Charlton came to Hertfordshire on the back of a humiliating Carling Cup defeat to Yeovil at the Valley.

Former Golden Boy Hameur Bouazza was named in their starting line-up - on the left hand side of midfield - meaning he was up against his old colleague Lloyd Doyley.

The Algerian international received a mixed reception when he was name was read out but the winger looked in menacing fashion early on.

With only a few minutes on the clock the old Hornet had taken possession of the ball and drilled a stinging shot over Mart Poom's upright.

For the 'Orns a quick break down the left hand flank nearly gave them an early boost in front of the Vicarage Road crowd.

Tommy Smith was released on the left and he broke quickly before sending in a dinked cross to the far post for Jobi Anuff and his goal bound header was blocked on the line by a Charlton defender.

Tommy watches his strike hit the net

The early play was broken up by a number of niggling fouls from both sides as referee Mr Williamson let little go.

Addicks midfielder Therry Racon flashed a long range effort over Poom's bar as the visitors were restricted to long distance shots in the opening exchanges.

Watford's centre half Leigh Bromby was in terrific form during the first half - the ex-Blade was commanding in the air as he and partner Jay DeMerit got to grips with the threat of Andy Gray and Luke Varney.  

The Hornets opened the scoring on 27 minutes through the current Player of the Year Tommy Smith. The local boy was playing down the middle just behind Tamas Priskin in a deeper position.

He was seeing plenty of the ball and made no mistake when presented with a scoring opportunity.

Following a long clearance from 'keeper Poom, the attacker peeled off his man and had the good fortune of seeing Jose Semedo fall to the ground.

He held off a defender, entered the penalty area and buried a shot past ex-Man City 'keeper Nick Weaver into the bottom corner of the goal.

It may have been created from a long ball but it showed that Smith can take his chances in a more central and pivotal role in the team.

Priskin celebrates with Smith after his goal

The major talking after the opening strike was one that saw the visitors reduced to 10 men.

Defender Kelly Youga was adjudged to have brought Tamas Priskin down as the pair battled for the ball in time added on at the end of the first half.

Priskin had been put through after an intelligent ball from John Eustace which slipped the Hungarian striker in between two defenders.

Immediately Youga was on to Priskin and the pair battled for the ball with Priskin eventually hitting the deck just outside the penalty box.

The referee was on the scene quickly and immediately pulled a red card out of his pocket to send the visitors down to 10 men.

Pardew reacted by sending on Grant Basey for the start of the second half - he took the place of Bouazza. Watford got stronger as the half progressed and slowly but surely picked out the holes in the visiting defence.

First Lee Williamson's chipped effort flew over the bar after Smith drew the ball back from the by-line and Jon Harley squared the ball to his teammate.

Williamson gets stuck into the action at the Vic

It wasn't all one way traffic though as the Addicks plugged away in patches at the 'Orns, but they created few clear-cut chances. When they did DeMerit was needed with a last ditch challenge to deny Varney when he had just Poom to beat.

The Hornets started to stretch Pardew's men as things progressed and McAnuff was denied inside the box after a clever ball back from Williamson.

Rasiak was introduced on 65 minutes to a standing ovation from the Rookery and it would have been a debut touch he would have never forgotten.

A deep ball was planted into the area and Rasiak hit a first-time volley that sadly flew wide of Weaver's post.

Rasiak gets started as a Hornet

The big Polish striker was then involved minutes later but his claims for a penalty were waved away after he was dragged down inside the six yard box.

At the other end Charlton debutant Nicky Bailey hit a powerful shot that was well saved by Poom.
   
Pardew made full use of his full substitutes bringing on pacy winger Chris Dickson and his first touch saw him let fly with a shot at Poom - that for a second looked like it was going to chip the big 'keeper.

There were chances for both sides towards the end but the visitors were wasteful in front of goal, especially Matt Holland who had a great opportunity but drove the ball wide.

However it was Charlton 'keeper Weaver who was the hero - pulling off a great double save after McAnuff's darting run and then he denied sub Damien Francis from the rebound with an acrobatic leap.

Taking the shirt off Jobi's back

Four minutes of time were added on by the referee and the final whistle marked the end of a good week for the Hornets as they look to settle down for the Championship season ahead.

The home crowd certainly appreciated the style of the Hornets and made their feelings known at the end with a standing ovation. 

WATFORD (4-4-2): Poom; Doyley, Bromby, DeMerit (c), Sadler; McAnuff (Mariappa 90+1), Eustace, Williamson (Francis 77), Harley; Smith, Priskin (Rasiak 65). Subs not used: Loach (gk), Hoskins.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC (4-4-2): Weaver; Semedo (Dickson 72), Fortune, Hudson (c), Youga; Sam, Racon (Holland 57), Bailey, Bouazza (Basey HT); Gray, Varney. Subs not used: Elliot (gk), Shelvey.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Eustace (professional foul 3), Harley (professional foul 73), McAnuff (dissent 90+1). CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. CHARLTON ATHLETIC; Youga (45+1).

GOALS: WATFORD; Smith (27). CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.

ATTENDANCE: 14,413 (1,345 visiting Charlton supporters).

REFEREE: I G Williamson.