WATFORD overcame Colchester United 2-1 in the totesport.com combination east division fixture at Boreham Wood FC this evening (Monday).

The Golden Boys were young once more and despite the U's taking the lead, the 'Orns came back with two goals, including one in injury time at the end of the first half.

It was the final home game of the 08/09 season for the Hornets and leaves them in an excellent position in the league table.

They sit top tonight with Wycombe due to play on Wednesday afternoon.

Sean Dyche selected Richard Lee in goal for the Hornets and he played behind a back four of Theo Angus, Eddie Oshodi, Andrei Stepanov and Louis Lavers.

Jordan Parkes captained the second string again, while Lewis Young supported Liam Henderson in attack.

Early evening showers had left the pitch slippery and soon after the referee started the game the rain again lashed down on the Boreham Wood pitch.

Watford started brightly with Matty Whichelow attacking down the right flank and putting some early pressure on U's full back Ben Griffiths.

Alex Cauna was on the opposite flank for the Hornets and he broke free early on and put in a great ball that Young slid on to, but the connection wasn't right and his effort went up and over the bar.

However, Colchester settled into their pattern of play early on as they went with three attacking players.

It was from a set piece that the visitors opened the scoring in the 17th minute.

A corner was played into the crowded penalty box and Lee did well to save the original header, but the U's reacted quickest to the second ball and Jordan Pavett was on hand to score from close range.

The Golden Boys reacted in the right way though and came back against the Essex-based outfit.

On 29 minutes Cauna's shot was saved by Shane Cusack after Angus' cross found its way through to the Latvian.

Watford got their rewards a minute later though as Henderson, under pressure in the area, finished from close range after a lovely flowing move from the Golden Boys.

Captain Parkes picked out Young with a precise forward ball to the edge of the penalty box and after Young wriggled away from his man he put the ball across goal for Henderson to do the rest.

Lifted after the goal, the 'Orns kept on pressing and could have taken the lead a minute later.

Oshodi played a first time ball downfield and Cauna ambitiously took it first time and hit a shot goal wards.

It headed towards goal but went wide of Cusack's net.

A minute before the break, Parkes played another delightful ball forward. Young again latched onto it but his well taken shot was saved by the away 'keeper.

In time added on at the end of the first half the Hornets took a lead thanks to a well taken free kick from Cauna.

With the U's trying to organise their wall and markers, Cauna stepped and curled a left footed effort round the wall and into the corner of the net.

The second half began with the Golden Boys pushing forward - Whichelow hit a curling effort that went the wrong side of Cusack's post.

Cauna was bright down the left flank and he unselfishly crossed for Henderson when he could have taken a shot at goal himself.

The Latvian put the ball across the area but there was too much pace on it for Henderson to be able to get there.

The U's should have equalised in the 59 minute, after a set piece the ball found its way through to Tom Bender at the far post.

With plenty of time and having avoided Watford's markers he hit his close range shot the wrong side of the post with just Lee to beat.

First year scholar Cole Penny was introduced with 15 minutes remaining, taking the place of fellow scholar Angus.

The switch meant that Parkes returned to full back with Penny taking up his usual position in the centre of midfield.

Cauna had Cusack at full stretch two minutes later as the 'keeper had to turn his shot round the post after Penny had won back the back to set up an attack for the home side.

Penny was at the heart of the action and he soon drifted an effort wide of the other post from 25 yards out.

Watford had stepped up a gear and soon followed some great scoring opportunities.

Firstly Parkes' crisp shot from the right flank produced an excellent save from Cusack and then Cauna couldn't quite reach Young's teasing cross from the right flank. 

With the clock ticking down, Henderson's deflected shot went wide of Cusack's post as the 'Orns forced the U's back.

However, despite not being at their best this evening the Golden Boys held on to secure another win. 

WATFORD: Lee; Angus (Penny 75), Oshodi, Stepanov, Lavers; Whichelow (Mingoia 82), Brooks, Parkes (c), Cauna; Young; Henderson. Subs not used: Antal (gk), Otshudi, Sordell.

COLCHESTER UNITED; Cusack; Nelson, Glowacki, Bender, Griffiths; Lartey (McCloskey 60), O'Sullivan (Stamp 82), Corcoran; Malton, Pavett, Sansford (Arnott 88). Subs not used: O'Leary, Hamilton.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. COLCHESTER UNITED; none.

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. COLCHESTER UNITED; none.

SCORERS: WATFORD; Henderson (30), Cauna (45+2). COLCHESTER UNITED; Pavett (17).

REFEREE: M F Thomson.