WATFORD'S first pre-season game of the summer went to plan as a very convincing first-half performance built the foundations for a 4-1 victory against non-league Boreham Wood.

Malky Mackay named a competitive starting XI for the traditional pre-season curtain raiser at Meadow Park.

Watford included a host of first team names, while there was a chance for some of the youngsters too.

Scott Loach and Jay DeMerit were missing after being given extra time-off following their busy summer period, while Jobi McAnuff was unavailable through illness.

Academy gradate Rob Kiernan started at centre half after impressing in pre-season so far, while tricky wide man Michael Bryan was named in midfield.

There was a start for new signing Danny Graham, playing alongside Hungarian Tamas Priskin.

It was a positive start from Mackay's men as they pressed the home side.

With just two-and-a-half minutes on the clock, Bryan made an immediate impression on those who had made the short journey to Meadow Park.

The ball was fed to the skillful winger, who was positioned on the right flank.

He attacked his man and got into the penalty area. Confidently he looked up, picked his spot and buried his shot in the bottom corner past home stopper Tony Tucker.

The early goal brought a large round of applause from the crowd.

Michael Bryan makes an impression at Boreham Wood

Watford continued to dominate proceedings and following a cross from Graham on the left flank, Priskin volleyed wide of the net.

The visitors doubled their lead on nine minutes and it was Graham's turn to find the back of the net.

A speculative ball was played into the Wood penalty box and after good chasing and hassling from Ross Jenkins, he got the better of the defender and squared the ball to the new man from Carlisle United and he coolly slotted home.

Watford's added a third with 13 minutes on the clock.

'Keeper and captain for the day Richard Lee rolled the ball to youngster Kiernan. 

He looked up and floated a ball over the defence. Graham had the beating of the centre half and headed into the penalty area and drilled the ball past the under-siege Tucker in the home goal.

It was a simple strike from Watford's point of view and just further enhanced the Hornets' grip on the friendly clash.

New boy Danny Graham scores two for the Hornets on his debut

Boreham Wood were largely restricted for the first half as lone striker Jamie Richards found it tough against Watford's centre half pairing of Kiernan and the commanding Mike Williamson.

Lee was only called upon to deal with a couple of long range efforts as the Golden Boys stood strong.

Don Cowie had a close effort blocked by a covering Wood defender after a neat passing movement from the 'Orns.

Then on the half hour mark, Jenkins flashed a long-range effort just over Tucker's bar.   

Cowie and Bryan swapped flanks for a short spell to provide a different test for the Wood full backs in Kevin Stevens and Ryan Kirby.

On 36 minutes, Priskin's shot was deflected out for a corner and represented the second good chance of the afternoon for Watford's number nine.

Wood's number eight, Mario Noto, headed goal wards and Lee was required to spring into action with the half time interval approaching.

Dee Okojee curled an effort wide for the home side with 42 minutes gone as Wood offered more going forward in the final few minutes of the half.

In time added on at the end of the first period, Priskin's powerful drive was blocked in the area, after his strike partner Graham knocked the ball to him following Sadler's cross.

At half time Mackay made a host of changes and replaced all of his outfield players.

Graham celebrates a successful first appearance for the Golden Boys

Scott Severin was one of those to come on and he took the place of John Eustace in the heart of midfield.

Nathan Ellington returned to the fold and partnered Tommy Smith for the second half.

The Duke's first involvement was to shoot at goal and see his shot saved by Tucker.

Then moments later he found space on the right and put in a testing ball to the centre of the penalty box, but Smith couldn't quite turn it into the back of the net.

Smith showed his classed as he danced past his man on 62 minutes and put a terrific ball across goal.

Jon Harley timed his run perfectly and his soft touch drifted just wide of Tucker's right hand post.

Boreham Wood took advantage of some slack Watford play in the 66 minute as they claimed their first goal of the afternoon.

The Hornets gave the ball away in midfield and Severin was forced to play the ball back towards Lee.

The 'keeper brought the ball out and got away from his first man but he couldn't go any further than that and Wood's Dee Okojee took advantage and chipped the ball into Lee's empty net. 

It was a stronger performance from the home side during the second half as the Hornets didn't look as convincing after the wholesale changes at the break.

Showing their support: Mackay and Dyche give their squad encouragement

Ellington's superb cross was met by O'Toole with just under 10 minutes left and the Irishman directed his header at goal but it fizzed just over Tucker's bar.

Lloyd Doyley's late surging run from right back brought good-natured cheers from the crowd as they eyed a possible shooting opportunity for the Academy graduate.

However it didn't come to fruition as Watford played out for the final minutes to secure an opening pre-season victory.

In time added on sub Harley got the final touch as the Hornets got a last-gasp goal.

The creator was Ellington as he ran at his man and got his shot in at goal.

Harley was in the right place at the right time and the ball bounced off him into the empty net.

BOREHAM WOOD: Tucker; Stevens, Ujah (c), Atta (Watters), Kirby; Okojee (Christian), Reynolds (Hunter h/time), Noto, Morgan (Whitely); Richards, Highton. Subs not used: Allinson. 

WATFORD: Lee (c); Mariappa (Hodson h/time), Williamson (Oshodi h/time), Kiernan (Bennett h/time), Sadler (Doyley h/time); Bryan (Young h/time), Eustace (Severin h/time), Jenkins (O'Toole h/time), Cowie (Harley h/time); Priskin (Ellington h/time), Graham (Smith h/time). Subs not used: Bond (gk).

BOOKINGS: BOREHAM WOOD; none. WATFORD; none. 

SENDINGS OFF: BOREHAM WOOD; none. WATFORD; none.

GOALS: BOREHAM WOOD; Okojee (66). WATFORD; Bryan (3), Graham (9, 13), Harley (90+1).

REFEREE: Mr Betty.