THE Golden Boys went down 3-0 at Boreham Wood FC this evening (Monday) as a double strike from Charlton's Chris Dickson and an injury time goal gave the visitors a convincing win.

Dickson netted either side of the half time interval and captain Jonjo Shelvey added a third to finish off a poor night for the Hornets.

Reserve team boss Malky Mackay included loan 'keeper Mark Tyler in his starting XI against the Addicks in the totesport.com Combination Challenge Cup, group B fixture.  

Following defeat against Ipswich in the same competition last month the Hornets needed a victory against the men from the Valley.

However the south Londoners were too hot in front of goal and in Dickson had a player who looked dangerous all evening. 

In front of Tyler for the Hornets was captain Jordan Parkes, Cedric Avinel, Rob Kiernan and Dale Bennett.

Since returning from injury Kiernan has been used at centre half after he impressed the Golden Boys' staff with his performances at the Milk Cup.

Lewis Young, Liam Henderson and Marvin Sordell formed the trio of attackers but they were unable to find a way past the Charlton backline.

Dickson showed his intentions early on as his effort flashed wide of Tyler's post after an excellent cross-field ball from Shelvey.

Lionel Ainsworth saw his early attempt at goal saved, but the Addicks were stronger as Dickson again tried his luck but his shot was saved by loanee Tyler.

The Hornets did have chances and were stronger in the first period but they were unable to take their chances.

First year scholar Matthew Whichelow broke up play and fed the ball to Ainsworth. He sent a pass wide to Henderson, but his drilled shot flashed wide of Robert Elliot's post.

Shelvey had a shot blocked by Tyler, then shortly afterwards the 'Orns broke and Ainsworth delivered a clinical cross towards Henderson but his header was easily saved by Elliot.

Sordell was working hard in attack for the youngsters and he showed some neat touches and good footwork. The second year scholar set-up Whichelow but his stinging shot was blocked by a brave Charlton defender.

The Addicks launched a number of attacks from their 'keeper Elliot. The stopper had a huge kick and an equally impressive throw and was always looking to catch the Hornets out.

On 36 minutes the visitors took the lead, Dickson finished off the move by firing past Tyler, but the move was indebted to the quick movement and intelligent play of Ben Godfrey and Scot Wagstaff.

Watford had a great chance to equalise on the stroke of half time, Henderson tried to lift his shot over the on-rushing Elliot, but a covering defender was on hand to head the ball clear.

The visitors then had the majority of the play in the second period but there were occasional chances for the home side. 

Lifted by the goal, Dickson was a confident figure as he lashed a ball across goal early on for the Addicks.

Ainsworth rattled the woodwork for the Hornets after a strong run down the right flank where he cut inside and lashed a shot goalwards.

Henderson had a physical battle with Sam Long all game and the pair continued to tangle throughout the second half.

Charlton's Wagstaff should have made it two after he missed from a matter of yards out after excellent work by Martin Christensen down the right flank.

With just over 15 minutes remaining the Addicks doubled their lead through danger man Dickson. It was too easy as no Watford man marked the scorer, Dickson simply ran into space and delivered a bullet header past Tyler from close range after a corner was fed in to the near post.

The visitors snatched another goal in time added on as the inexperienced Kiernan gave the ball away in defence and Shelvey had the easy task of poking the ball past the exposed Tyler.      

WATFORD: Tyler; Bennett, Avinel, Kiernan, Parkes (c); Whichelow, Jenkins, Ainsworth; Young (Bryan 71), Henderson, Sordell. Subs not used: Yiadom, North (gk), Penny.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC: Elliot; Jenkinson, Mambo, Long, Clark; Yusseff, Wagstaff, Shelvey (c), Christensen; Godfrey, Dickson (Jenson 83). Subs not used: Davisson, Stavrinou, Christie (gk), Perkins. 

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.

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

GOALS: WATFORD; none. CHARLTON ATHLETIC; Dickson (36, 74), Shelvey (90+2).

REFEREE: Mr S L Long.