WATFORD reserves started their season with a 2-1 thanks to goals from Steve Kabba and John-Joe O'Toole against non-league Aldershot Town at Boreham Wood tonight (Monday).

It was the first test for the second string in the Pontin's Combination Reserve League and the Shots certainly provided a tough, physical test for the Hornets. The Golden Boys fielded a strong side with some familiar names for the crowd. Scott Loach started between the sticks with Junior Osborne continuing his pursuit for match sharpness with a run-out at full back. French trialist Kenny Gillet started at left full back with captain Adrian Mariappa and Cedric Avinel at centre half.

The midfield was just as experienced with Douglas Rinadi, Al Bangura, youngster John-Joe O'Toole and Carling Cup man-of-the-match Anthony McNamee; Steve Kabba started in attack alongside Will Hoskins.

Meanwhile the visitors had former Hornet Joel Grant in their starting line-up and he was part of a three man strike-force. The first chance indeed fell to Aldershot as Scott Donnelly tried to put through Grant but Loach was quick to react.  

With two minutes on the clock the 'Orns took an early lead courtesy of striker Kabba, the ex-Sheffield United man reacted first in the area and was quicker than the on-rushing Mikhael Jamiez in the Shots' goal. 

It was clear from the opening stages however that the non-league side hadn't come to Boreham Wood to defend and with an attacking 4-3-3 line up they immediately tried to haul themselves back into this clash.
 
Aldershot's Danny Hylton's early shot was blocked and then Grant's effort deflected for a corner.

At the other end McNamee's teasing deep cross into the box was put behind by Osman Sesay under pressure. Immediately after the corner Hoskins, who had temporarily switched to the left, cut inside and had the goal in his sight. His low shot seemed destined for the back of the net but somehow deflected and came flying back out of the box. 

With 27 minutes on the clock Kabba should have made it 2-0 after giant defender Dave Winfield lost possession and with just the goalkeeper to beat Kabba decided to tee-up McNamee but he ballooned his shot over the bar.

The Shots then had a golden chance after a misunderstanding between Loach and Osborne. With the ball going back towards goal Hylton jumped in for Aldershot and his resulting shot was saved by Loach.

In the 36th minute Kabba had the chance to extend the Hornets' lead, after a neat interchange which started from the defence with Mariappa, Hoskins' pinpoint chip found Kabba on-side but he sliced his shot wide of the net with just the keeper to beat.

Grant then saw his rising effort from outside the area go narrowly wide of Loach's upright as the Shots continued to threaten.

Following O'Toole's head down on the outside of the box Kabba had the final chance of the half. He went straight for goal but this time the keeper was equal as he parried his shot and it dribbled out for a corner before the fourth official announced a minimum of one minute of time added on.

Half time: Watford 1 Aldershot 0

The 'Orns extended their lead on 53 minutes through youngster O'Toole. The Academy midfielder finished from close range after good running from Rinaldi. The Brazilian checked back on the right hand side of the box and tried to set-up McNamee but his effort was blocked before O'Toole completed the job.

O'Toole put the Hornets 2-0 up against the Shots

Just moments later the Shots could have had an equaliser through Sesay but his low drilled shot went just wide of Loach's post before Hylton tried his luck after cutting in from the right, again his resulting shot went just wide of the post.

The visitors got a goal back with 58 minutes on the clock and it was ex-Watford boy Grant who finished the move. After a quick break and shot from Kirk Hudson, Grant was there to finish from six yards after Loach did well to save low down.

Central defender Winfield was the target with a free kick just minutes later for Aldershot and the tall centre half headed wide after escaping the attentions of his man.

Just after a treble substitution for Aldershot McNamee broke quickly down the right after a great through ball by Bangura but his shot was saved by the Shots' keeper with Hoskins unmarked in the middle of the box.

In the 73rd minute Mariappa had to be at his best as Grant had his eyes on an equaliser but the Academy graduate playing at centre half tonight was equal to Grant and blocked his effort which went sailing wide for a corner.

Loren Maxwell entered the fold on 76 minutes and he nearly grabbed a third for the Hornets after he picked the ball up on the edge of the box and after beating his man sent a powerful shot in which was put behind by the Shots' keeper.

Watford continued to look dangerous for the final period of the game but the final ball was sometimes lacking in the final third of the pitch. Donnelly had the final effort of the game for Wealdstone as his power-driver went flashing wide of Loach's post.

WATFORD (4-3-3): Loach; Osborne Gillet, Mariappa, Avinel; Bangura, O'Toole (Maxwell 76), Rinaldi; McNamee, Hoskins, Kabba. Subs not used: North (gk), Kiernan, Bennett, Parkes.
  
ALDERSHOT (4-4-3): Jamiez; Bailey, Milletti, Sesay, Winfield; Gier (Hardy 62), Grant, Donnelly, Hudson (Chandler 62); Hylton (Ritson 62), Dixon. Subs not used: Finn, Higgins.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Kabba (foul, 75). ALDERSHOT; Gier (foul, 42).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. ALDERSHOT; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Kabba (2), O'Toole (53). ALDERSHOT; Grant (58).

REFEREE: Mr J Hopkins.