THE Hornets lost out 2-0 to Ipswich Town this evening (Monday) as the Tractor Boys took full advantage of their early pressure.

Sean Dyche included some more experienced names in his starting XI as Richard Lee, Mat Sadler, John Eustace and John-Joe O'Toole were all included at Boreham Wood.

The Tractor Boys started Moritz Voltz as well as the likes of Dean Bowditch and young striker Connor Wickham.

Watford found themselves two down within the first 10 minutes as the Tractor Boys enjoyed the better of the early chances and crucially they converted those.

Lee was in action as early as the fourth minute as he saved from Dean Bowditch. His long twisting run eventually brought about a shot that Lee did well to save.

Then a minute later Marvin Sordell rattled a shot towards goal that was saved by Shane Supple, this was after good work from Eustace.

The visitors then took the lead with six minutes on the clock, Tom McGready grabbed the goal after the 'Orns gave the ball away in midfield, Lee did well to make himself difficult to beat but it was to no avail.

Then three minutes later Ipswich scored their second and it was a somewhat spectacular strike following a well delivered corner kick.

The ball was played in deep and Veliche Shumulikoski drilled a first time effort past Lee in the Watford goal.

Shortly after Jaime Peters saw his shot blocked for Town, then Lee got a hand to a Matt Richards free kick.

Lee: Kept the score down

Lee again came to the rescue towards the end of the half as he saved from Bowditch after he cut inside past Lee Hodson, who was playing at centre half this evening.

Hodson provided some creativity for the Hornets then as he launched forward with the ball from the half way line and after dinking past defenders his ball back across goal couldn't find a fellow 'Orn.

Sordell was working hard at the start of the second period to try and stop the Tractor Boys playing across the back, but the Academy striker was unable to do anything about the scoreline as Ipswich stood firm in defence.

Reggie Lambe saw his shot fire back off the post after a deep cross from Voltz, then the German tried himself but Lee was again in fine form, fending off the long range effort.

Matthew Whichelow came on for the Golden Boys on 69 minutes and put in an energetic performance.

The Hornets escaped late on as Wickham shot at goal - while the Golden Boys left it late too for their best chance as Sordell hooked the ball over the bar after Jordan Parkes took a deep corner that was headed back across goal by Eustace.

WATFORD: Lee; Hodson, Sadler, Kiernan, Parkes (c); Bryan (Whichelow 69), O'Toole, Eustace, Cauna; Sordell, Young. Subs not used: Yiadom, North (gk), Penny, Brooks.

IPSWICH TOWN: Supple; Voltz, Ainsley, Richards, Dunbar; Peters (Murray 70), Shumulikoski, McGready (Clemo 77), Lambe; Wickham (Hyam 77), Bowditch. Subs not used: Ward.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; Eustace (professional foul 58), Parkes (professional foul 86). IPSWICH TOWN; Wickham (professional foul 45).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. IPSWICH TOWN; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; none. IPSWICH TOWN; McGready (6), Shumulikoski (9).

REFEREE: Mr R Whitton.