A WATFORD XI team came away from Winchester City today (Sunday) with a 2-0 victory thanks to first half strikes from Cedric Avinel and Theo Robinson.

There was further good news as midfielder Gareth Williams started and played his second game of football in two days after he came on as a substitute at Brentford yesterday (Saturday).

On a beautiful hot, sunny day in Hampshire, the Hornets brought a select XI to take on Winchester City of the British Gas Southern League Division One South and West.

There were starting places for Lloyd Doyley and Matt Jackson in defence while Scottish playmaker Williams slotted into the heart of a three-man midfield alongside John-Joe O'Toole and Lewis Young.

It was again a three-pronged attack with Will Hoskins and Robinson either side of Moses Ashikodi.

The heat clearly had an effect, especially so in the second half, but the opening 45 minutes was entertaining with chances for both teams.

Robinson was the first to test Winchester 'keeper Clint Davies on four minutes when, after receiving a ball from Jackson, he cut inside and sent a low drilled shot into the arms of the stopper.

The Hornets didn't have it all their own way and captain Doyley had to be alert to deflect the ball for a corner as Winchester striker Brett Williams drifted into a dangerous position in the box.

Creating chances didn't appear to be a problem for the Golden Boys with Williams blasting well over the bar and O'Toole heading into the arms of the 'keeper after a trademark late run into the penalty area.

Ashikodi hit the post after a neat ball from Hoskins but the assistant referee already had his flag in the air.

Williams looked comfortable on the ball and Watford supporters will be glad to hear he was spraying the ball out to both wings.

He played a controlled game, passing short and easy when need be and when called upon, hitting long-pinpoint passes out to both flanks.

After Ashikodi forced the goalkeeper to hit the ball into touch, it wasn't long before the 'Orns opened the scoring through a bullet header inside the box from centre half Avinel on 18 minutes.

'Always look on the bright side of life' blasted out of the speakers after the goal and it wouldn't be long before the Monty Python classic would be appearing again.

The hosts could and should have made the scores level when Matt Bowler had a free header inside the box but he wastefully put his strike wide of Scott Loach's post.

There was another scare for the 'Orns when a misunderstanding between Loach and Avinel meant the defender heading the ball high into the air with the 'keeper out of his goal.

However the Golden Boys survived and made it 2-0 on 34 minutes. Robinson finished a neat and tidy passing move and his low, drilled shot was too much for the goalkeeper.

Ashikodi then could have made it three but his rushed shot went wide of the ball following another good ball from Hoskins from the right flank.

The referee blew the half time whistle and the players quickly made an exit for the cool shelter of the changing rooms.

The second half was a quieter affair and there were no more goals for the crowd to witness. However it was an opportunity for the Golden Boys to give a run-out to those warming the no doubt baking substitutes' bench.

Junior Osborne entered the field just after the hour mark and slotted in at right back with Avinel leaving the field and Doyley switching to centre half. It was Osborne's second run-out following a long injury lay-off with a cruciate ligament injury.

Sub Liam Henderson drilled a low shot that was saved by Davies, while O'Toole also saw a chance go begging in the second period.

An unlikely long-distance shot came from full back Jordan Parkes during the later stages as he unleashed a blistering effort that flew just over the bar.

Then minutes before he left the field, Jackson made his way forward to the penalty box but Henderson couldn't return the ball to the centre half who was bearing down on the box.

Finally second-year Academy scholar Billy Gibson had a free kick which went just wide during the final moment of the game. 

All in all it was a good win for the Hornets and the blistering conditions will have no doubt prove testing for the players as they further improved their fitness before the big kick-off in August.

WINCHESTER CITY STARTING (4-4-2): Davies; Eyles, Lang, Bowler, Wilson; George, Juryeff, Gray, Williams, Lockyer; Williams, Allen. Subs: Smith, O'Keefe, Gregory, Mamdou, Foster, Goater, Bayliss.

WATFORD (4-3-3): Loach, Doyley, Avinel (Osborne 63), Jackson (Bennett 80), Parkes (Lavers 80); Williams (Bangura 80), O'Toole, Young; Robinson (L Henderson 46), Ashikodi (L Hunter 46), Hoskins (Gibson 80). Subs not used: J Beasant (gk).

SCORERS: WINCHESTER CITY; none WATFORD XI: Avinel (18), Robinson (32).

ATTENDANCE: 437

REFEREE: Mr W Ball