WATFORD FC will make the short journey to Underhill to face Barnet on August 2nd in their fourth and final first-team pre-season friendly, hoping to build some momentum before the start of the new campaign.

Aidy Boothroyd will be looking for a lot more from his side following the 2-1 defeat at the hands of League One MK Dons on Wednesday evening.

Scott Loach is again expected to continue in goal with Richard Lee still missing through injury - although Mart Poom is part of the travelling squad.

Trialist Ulises De La Cruz is named in the squad while rookie Academy midfielder Ross Jenkins again joins up with the first-team squad looking to continue his encouraging pre-season.

Dan Shittu is named in the squad for the first time this pre-season, while Damien Francis continues to work his way back towards fitness.  

The squad in full is:

Loach, De La Cruz, Bromby, DeMerit, Sadler, Jenkins, Williamson, Harley, Robinson, Priskin, McAnuff, Eustace, Shittu, Francis, Hoskins, Doyley, Poom, Mariappa.

Barnet finished a respectable 12th in League Two last season, and for a club who only climbed out of non-league football three seasons ago, mid-table stability is more than welcome.

The Bees lost  star player Jason Puncheon over the summer, his impressive performances earned him a £250,000 move to Plymouth Argyle.

While young player of the year Josh Wright returned to Charlton Athletic after a successful year-long loan spell.

One huge positive for Paul Fairclough is the fact that star winger Albert Adomah has signalled his intentions to stay at Underhill. Adomah impressed all at Barnet after signing in January 2008 from non-league Harrow Borough.

Adomah has caught the eye of plenty Championship sides with his exciting performances on Barnet's left wing, and he scored five goals in his 22 appearances last year, including one on his debut against Hereford United.

Ex-QPR man Kieron St Aimie won plenty of admirers last season with a string of eye catching displays in the Barnet midfield, as did Ashley Carew.

Striker Cliff Akurang has a good scoring record, primarily in non-league. But his strength in the air and frightening presence has made him somewhat of a crowd favourite at Underhill.

HEAD TO HEAD

The two teams have only ever met once, with Watford coming out on top. It was in the F.A Cup in 1997, and the 'Orns beat the Bees 2-1 at Underhill.

Ken Charlery opened the scoring for Barnet, and the Bees frustrated the Golden Boys for an hour, until former Liverpool striker Ronny Rosenthal struck twice to send the Hornets through to the second round.

The mini cup run saw them conquer Torquay after a replay, only to crash out 5-3 on penalties after the second replay against Sheffield Wednesday.

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