THE Hornets earned their second consecutive reserve home win of the season with a victory over Ipswich Town tonight (Monday), thanks to a lone goal from Lewis Young.

The Hornets included Scott Severin in their starting XI for the fixture, the Scottish midfielder adding some experience to the side selected by David Kerslake.

Mat Sadler also started, after making the bench for the first-team at the weekend.

Young 'keeper Jonathan Bond earned himself a start in goal after providing back-up to number one stopper Scott Loach in recent weeks.

Liam Henderson and Will Hoskins were selected in attack.

Within the first minute of the match, the first corner of the clash was awarded to the travelling team, but the Tractor boys played the ball short and the chance was wasted.

A few minutes later, Hoskins tore through the centre of the field, passing to Young on the left.

He had the Hornets' first chance on goal, but Ipswich 'keeper Arran Lee-Barrett had it safely covered.

Ipswich looked the livelier team on the wintery November evening at Boreham Wood, as they dominated the first quarter of the match.

Young stopper Bond was getting more of the action than the Ipswich 'keeper at the other end.

Hoskins looked strong on the field as he pushed forwards, trying to make chances for his team mates, but the Ipswich defence refused to be penetrated.

The visitors had a chance on goal in the 17 minute when Owen Garvan smashed the ball into the box from just outside the area.

It was cleared out only to be put into the area again, forcing a smart clearance off the line from Hoskins.

Michael Bryan replied two minutes later, upon receiving the ball just outside the box, he expertly turned and shot at the Ipswich 'keeper. His shot was high and straight and Bryan was only denied the opener of the evening by the top bar.

With 26 minutes of the game played, Young provided the excitement for the home fans as he weaved and dipped through midfield and he cut inside on the left, blasting the ball low pass Lee-Barrett to put Watford in the lead.

On 28 minutes, Healy tried to reply for Ipswich as he shot the ball from the left of the field forcing Bond to make a comfortable save.

But, the pressure continued from the visitors as the the likes of Travner and Sadler in the Watford defence had to work overtime to keep Town at bay.

Hoskins went for glory a minute later as he powered the ball from 12 yards out, but his shot was well wide of the post.

The ex-Rotherham man was determined to get a goal on the night as two minutes later he fired a similar ball towards the Ipswich goal, but he had to watch his effort go over the bar.

Suddenly, the Hornets seemed comfortable in their lead, as they started to pass the ball well in the middle of the field and looked to be creating chances on goal, with Bryan going wide of the left post as the game neared the 35 minute mark.

With two minutes to go until half time, Eddie Oshodi provided a great ball towards the feet of Hoskins and this led to a great chance for Young.

His cross into the box ended up being more of a shot on target as the Ipswich goalkeeper was forced to tip the ball over the bar to safety.

Seconds before the half time whistle sounded, Travner crossed a beautiful ball into the box for Henderson to get on the end of, but his header didn't have quite enough power to put it past the 'keeper.

Hoskins had the first chance of the second half as the determined striker attempted to outsmart the 'keeper by hooking a ball over him and into the net, but his shot was just too high and clipped the bar.

Watford hearts were in mouths as the Tractor Boys piled on the pressure, surging forwards and making sure they kept the ball in the danger area.

The home defence had to be on their guard and Bond had to make several comfortable but vital saves to keep the home side in front.

Hoskins continued to stake his claim for a goal on the 60 minute mark, as he shot yet another ball in the direction of the goal but again, the striker was forced to watch his effort sail over the bar.

A minute later, Severin had a good chance but his delivery was too low and too soft as it rolled into Town 'keeper Lee-Barrett's gloves without any problems.

On 66 minutes, Oshodi was unlucky to concede a handball in the penalty area.

Lee Martin stepped up to take the spot kick for the Ipswich but as Bond went the opposite way, Martin fired the ball wide of the left hand post and Watford breathed a sigh of relief.

Matty Whichelow replaced Hoskins on 75 minutes, leaving the latter frustrated that his numerous effort and battling hard work during the match didn't repay him with a goal.

Severin had a strike on target in the 83 minute as the Scotsman powered a lovely ball straight towards the back netting, but Lee-Barrett dived the right way to make a finger-tipping save to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

Bond made a vital save towards the final five minutes of the match as Ipswich continued to push forwards for an equaliser. But try as they might, the visitors just couldn't finish the job off.

Substitute Piero Mingoia, who had come on for fellow Academy team mate Andy Yiadom, had a go at goal as he shot a strong ball from just outside the area.

His low shot was good but the Ipswich 'keeper had his goal covered and the youngster went away empty-handed.

The game finished with the Hornets holding onto their early lead with the away side unable to capitalise on their chances.

Speaking to www.watfordfc.com after the match, Kerslake said was very pleased with his side's efforts.

"Every player that took part was outstanding and they had a tremendous work ethic" said the coach.

"We played some really nice football and were very slick at times and we thoroughly deserved the win.

"The team is young and they are learning, but the experience they are getting in the first team is great and the mix of the youngsters and the pros mean that players like Mat Sadler and Scott Severin talk to the young boys and help them, rather than hinder them."

WATFORD: Bond; Yiadom (Mingoia 68), Oshodi, Sadler, Travner; Bryan, Severin, Parkes, Young; Henderson, Hoskins (Whichelow 75). Subs not used: Irving (gk), Angus, Gibson.

SCORERS: Young  

IPSWICH TOWN; Lee-Barrett; Ainsley, Brown, Balkestein, Carson; Lambe (Hyam 74), Garvan, Colback, Martin; Upson (Murray 72), Healy. Subs not used: McLoughlin (gk), Eastman, Cawley.