THE Hornets notched up their fourth successive victory as the second string beat Crystal Palace by two goals to one at Boreham Wood FC this evening (Monday).

A strike from Billy Gibson on 21 minutes gave the 'Orns the lead. The young winger took his goal well but was soon substituted after he picked up a knee injury.

Arron Fray's poor connection with the ball left goalkeeper Ben Lewis with plenty to do and with Liam Henderson immediately closing him down he was forced to head the ball clear.

Gibson picked up the ball and looped it over Lewis' head and into the empty net. 

The Eagles had hit the woodwork before that when Palace's lively midfielder Ashley Robinson unleashed a powerful shot after a strong run and cross from full back Nathaniel Clyne.

Despite that chance for the visitors, the Golden Boys had the better of the opening 45 minutes. Gibson limped off on 28 minutes and was replaced by front man Ewan Clarke, while Young switched out to the right flank.

Henderson looked confident in attack and showed his strength on several occasions when holding the ball up. Although he wouldn't get on the score sheet until the second half, he tried to link up with Lewis Young and Clarke whenever possible.

Gareth Williams was in the heart of midfield for the Hornets alongside Al Bangura. The Scotsman delivered some neat touches and trademark cross-field passes during his half against the Eagles.

The Hornets had first year scholar Ross Jenkins at right back, while schoolboy Lee Hodson filled in at left back full.

Just before the break, 'keeper Antal had a let off when he came out of his box for a ball that he didn't reach - the Hungarian could only watch from the floor as he saw the ball trickle just wide of his post.

After the break, the visitors stepped up the pace and Robinson was at the centre of everything that they put together. 

Bo Antal pulled off a superb diving save to deny Robinson but on 55 minutes the midfielder beat Antal when he headed home from six yards out.

He finished the move after a cross from Ben Kudjodji from the Palace right hand flank.

However, with 15 minutes left on the clock, the Golden Boys clinched the final goal of the night as Henderson continued his impressive goal scoring run of late.

The recently turned pro twisted on a sixpence and dispatched a low shot from outside the box, which somehow beat the Palace 'keeper at the post.

Palace had no answer to Watford's decisive goal and John Bostock's low drive was the closest the south Londoners came to troubling Antal before the referee blew time on the second to last reserve fixture of the season.

The Hornets play their final reserve league game this Thursday against Southampton at Boreham Wood FC.   

WATFORD: Antal; Jenkins, Beech, Bennett. Hodson; Gibson (Clarke 12), Williams (Lavers 45), Bangura, Aloi; L Henderson, L Young. Subs not used: North (gk), Kiernan, Bryan.

SCORERS: Gibson (21), L Henderson (75).

CRYSTAL PALACE: Lewis, Howe (Dalhouse 63), Fray, Swaibu, Clyne; Spence, Robinson, Bostock, Dayton (Charles 73); Cadogan (Djilali 72), Kudjodji. Subs not used: Thorp, Comley.

SCORERS: Robinson (55).

REFEREE: Mr J Farries.