A WATFORD XI stormed to a 6-1 victory over local side Tring Athletic at The Grass Roots Stadium today (Saturday) as they took part in their third pre-season fixture.

Malky Mackay and Sean Dyche brought a side to Tring as part of their 50 year anniversary celebrations - Athletic play in the Molten Spartan South Midlands Football League Premier Division.

Following a pre-match downpour the sun was out shining for the game as local Watford supporters, along with Hemel lad Tommy Smith - who missed the trip to Barnet through injury - came along to watch some of the potential stars of the future in the lush green surroundings of the Tring countryside.

Ex-Watford man Chris Day was back in goal for the club as part of his trial with the Hornets.

Academy graduate Jordan Parkes captained the side and put in a fine performance from full back that was capped with a fine solo goal towards the end of the game.

The Golden Boys charged out of the blocks at full power and started the game strongly - Ewan Clarke's deflected shot forced a corner and the 'Orns were causing all sorts of problems from set pieces and the wide positions due to some great balls in from Billy Gibson and Lawrence Hunter.

Dale Bennett soon had a header cleared off the line while the unlikely suspect in Al Bangura hit a powerful effort that was well handled by Athletic 'keeper Dave Clark.

There was a moment of panic for Watford though just before they took the lead as Day sliced his clearance following a close offside call that went against the Hornets. A ball was then put in the area but Mark Burfoot dragged his effort wide.
 
Less than a minute later the 'Orns opened the scoring through second year Academy scholar Gibson.

The talented wide man picked up a pass on the right flank, dinked inside with a neat trick and curled a beautiful shot past the Athletic 'keeper.

Two goals for Gibson as the 'Orns hit Tring for six

Despite the strong Watford start, sloppy play let the hosts back into the game. With 14 minutes on the clock Burfoot equalised after Bennett didn't clear his lines properly and Day misjudged a clearance.

With Junior Osborne outnumbered on the right hand side of defence the hosts took advantage and Burfoot finished well from inside the box to punish the 'Orns for their mistake.

Bennett made amends and returned the balance of play to Watford's favour with a free far post towering header following a corner kick.

Parkes was getting forward as much as he could from left back and was overlapping Hunter whenever possible.

Lewis Young added a third before the half time interval - he picked up a lovely ball from John-Joe O'Toole and buried a shot past the goalkeeper.

After the break it was similar story as the start to the first half. Watford forced a number of corner kicks and looked dangerous from set pieces.

Parkes hit a thunderous shot that was tipped over the bar before O'Toole's header hit the woodwork from a corner.

Liam Henderson was introduced just before the hour mark and was immediately involved as the 'keeper spilled the ball before a defender was there to clear on the line.

Gibson made it 4-1 soon after with an excellent worked goal. Great movement and quick feet from Young was rewarded with a sharp finish from Gibson as he blasted the ball home after Young had squared the ball to him inside the penalty area.

Substitute Henderson soon made it five as he avoided the offside trap and picked up a flicked ball. He held off his man and planted a shot beneath the diving 'keeper as the Athletic team started to tire during the second period.

Substitute Henderson marked his entrance with a goal

The Hornets made a couple more changes with the game now in the bag - this meant Parkes switching to right back and he continued to push forward.

With just a minute remaining he pushed up and made a dinking run through the Athletic midfield and defence before hitting a low shot past Clark from within the penalty area.

All in all it was a healthy performance from the Watford XI as they looked dangerous on the attack at all times and didn't allow themselves to succumb to the physical side of the game as happened at Wealdstone recently.

TRING ATHLETIC STARTING XI (4-4-2): Clark; Smith, Gordon, Salmon, North; Aldridge, Mullins, Gibbs, Gray; Burfoot, Whicker. Subs: Mullec, Batchelor, Clinkard.

WATFORD (4-3-3): Day; Osborne (Lavers 80), Avinel, Bennett, Parkes; O'Toole, Bangura, Young (Bryan 80); Gibson, Clarke (Henderson 59), Hunter.

BOOKINGS: TRING ATHLETIC; none. WATFORD; none.

SENDINGS OFF: TRING ATHLETIC; none. WATFORD; none.

GOALS: TRING ATHLETIC; Burfoot (14). WATFORD; Gibson (12, 66), Bennett (24), Young (38), Henderson (71) Parkes (89).

ATTENDANCE: 338.

REFEREE: C Williams.

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