A whirlwind three minute period inside the first half set the Hornets well on their way to a fine win today at Vicarage Road against Nigel Adkins' Scunthorpe United.

Heidar Helguson was the toast of WD18 as he planted two fine headers to set the ball rolling, before his strike partner Danny Graham put the icing on the cake during the second half in a drenched Hertfordshire.

After threatening to do so all day, the heavens opened just minutes before kick off.

The Hornets were unchanged from their victory last time out at Vicarage Road against Preston North End.

The only matchday squad change was the return of goalkeeper Richard Lee to the bench, the Academy graduate recovering from a knee injury after a period on the sidelines.

The Iron came to Hertfordshire looking to make amends for a 4-1 defeat before the international break against Blackpool.

With a swirling wind around Vicarage Road it made life difficult for both sides early on.

However, both teams were keen to get the ball on the floor and implement some impressive passing movements.

The Golden Boys looked in a confident mood and were eager to move the ball quickly around the midfield with Tom Cleverley, Don Cowie and Henri Lansbury all having starring roles.

Craig Cathcart win the ball in the air

After a quiet opening quarter of an hour, the Hornets turned to increase the pressure on Nigel Adkins' men. 

From an early Cowie corner, in front of the Vicarage Road Stand, the ball fell out to Lansbury.

The newly capped England Under-21 star struck the ball perfectly and it looked to be heading home but was deflected behind for a corner kick.

It wasn't just the midfielders who were playing their part going forward. Lee Hodson, fresh from signing a new contract at Vicarage Road until 2012, was able to attack down the right flank.

At the other end, Paul Hayes for Scunthorpe was the danger man for the visitors.

With less than 10 minutes on the clock he curled an effort the wrong side of Scott Loach's left hand post.

Seven minutes later Loach had to be alert and at his best to deny Hayes.

Lee Hodson attacks down the right wing

The striker showed an impressive turn of pace and was then able to hold of a defender before blasting at goal, but Loach was equal to it.

On 19 minutes the Golden Boys opened the scoring in fantastic fashion.

Helguson was the man to nod home at a ground he clearly favours so much.

Heidar celebrates!

Again, it was a great move by the 'Orns and one that Malky and his coaching staff will be very proud of.

The build-up was pleasing on the eye and after Cleverley put the ball in the penalty box there was only ever going to be one outcome.

It was played in towards the far post and Helguson was drawn to the ball. He beat his marker in the air and the Hornets were one goal to the good. 

It only encouraged the Golden Boys to attack and within three minutes they had doubled their lead.

Helguson was the scorer yet again and his name rang out around Vicarage Road.

The Iceland striker scores his second of the day

Once more it was scored with his head, this time after his strike partner Graham played in a tremendous ball from the right flank.

At this stage the Golden Boys looked utterly convincing going forward and Hayes offered the best chance of a way back into the game for the visitors.

Four minutes before the interval, The Iron had their best chance to claw their way back into the game.

Hodson allowed a cross to roll across him and in towards the far side of the penalty area.

The Scunthorpe attacker got the ball on his right foot and blasted it at goal but the 'Orns were saved by a combination of two brave covering players, with John Eustace looking to have got the all important block in the Hornets' penalty area.

Helguson fights for the ball

Helguson had a chance to complete a first-half hat-trick towards the end of the first period but his deft flick dropped the wrong side of Josh Lillis' post.

There was yet further drama in time added on as Doyley drifted into the area after a strong run down the left flank, unfortunately for him and all Watford supporters inside the ground, he could only drag his shot the wrong side of the post, much to the disappointment of the crowd.  

The Iron made two changes at the break, but the duo had little time to settle in before Scunthorpe were 3-0 down.

It was another free flowing move from the 'Orns, this time completed by Helguson's sidekick Graham.

Lansbury was at the centre of the move and after driving forward he squared the ball to the former Carlisle striker and he fired home past Lillis to grab the third of the game.

Danny Graham scores the third goal

Eustace had been the holding man all afternoon for the 'Orns, moving forwards when he could but also offering protection to the back four as well.

In the 63 minute he picked out Helguson at the far post with a delightful ball, the Iceland striker pulled the ball back across goal, but Lillis' outstretched hand averted the danger.

A minute later Loach produced a fantastic save from Gary Hooper who let fly from 25 yards with a terrific shot.

The Golden Boys introduced Jon Harley and Nathan Ellington on 73 minutes in place of the scorers, Helguson and Cleverley.

Ellington nearly made an instant impact as he headed the ball between the 'keeper and a defender, it didn't quite have enough pace on it though to cross the line as a covering defender blasted the ball clear.

The Hornets looked odds-on to make it 4-0 with six minutes left but The Iron got away as a covering defender deflected the ball over.

The former Carlisle man striker celebrates

Cowie scampered away and left two defenders for dead. Attacking down the right flank he could either have tried his luck at goal or crossed for Graham.

Unfortunately he did neither as the ball came to a defender, but Ellington picked up the loose ball and his great drive was deflected over.
 
Young winger Michael Bryan was introduced late on, taking the place of Graham, who hadn't moved easily since a heavy challenge involving the Scunthorpe centre half.

WATFORD: Loach (gk); Hodson, Mariappa (c), Cathcart, Doyley; Cleverley (Harley 73), Eustace, Lansbury, Cowie; Helguson (Ellington 73), Graham (Bryan 86). Subs not used: Lee (gk), Severin, Bennett, Henderson.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED: Lillis; Mirfin, Jones (c) (N'Gala h/time), Bryne, Friend; Sparrow (O'Connor h/time), Wright, Togwell, Woolford; Hayes, Hooper. Subs not used: Slocombe (gk), Williams, McCann, Forte, Thompson. 

GOALS: WATFORD; Helguson (19, 22), Graham (49).  SCUNTHORPE UNITED; none. 

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Lansbury (75). SCUNTHORPE UNITED; Jones (professional foul 26), Hooper (professional foul 70).

SENDING OFFS: WATFORD; none. SCUNTHORPE UNITED; none.

ATTENDANCE: 13, 241 (368 Scunthorpe supporters).