THE Golden Boys turned around a challenging first half at the Lamex Stadium tonight (Tuesday) to win their pre-season friendly  with Stevenage 2-0.

Goals from Stephen McGinn and Marvin Sordell ensured the Hornets beat the League Two outfit, thanks also to a fantastic display between the sticks from new 'keeper Rene Gilmartin.

The newly promoted Borough proved tough opposition particularly in the first 45 minutes of the game. Despite some strong and confident play from Stevenage, the Golden Boys used their attacking assets to their advantage to win the encounter.

Malky Mackay named another strong side for this evening's pre-season friendly with new signing Gilmartin starting in goal for the Hornets.

Defender Tom Aldred was back on the bench after recovering from his minor toe injury which kept him out of the 3-3 draw with Northampton Town on Saturday.

Striker Will Buckley and youngster Dale Bennett missed out on the meeting due to minor knocks.

Replacing them in the starting XI from the weekend were Sordell and Lee Hodson.

First year pro Piero Mingoia also started for the Golden Boys, replacing Michael Bryan.

There was early drama in the Watford camp in the opening three minutes as Hodson was brought down heavily in the middle of the field.

As Richard Collinge rushed onto the pitch to assess the damage, the young defender was lying on the floor looking decidedly groggy, but he recovered quickly and after a check up from Watford's Head of Medical, the youngster sprung back to action once again for the Hornets.

There was a chance for Sordell inside the eighth minute as the striker received a neat ball from Danny Graham on the right of the area.

Sordell was deep inside the box and had a shot at goal, only to be bundled to the ground before the shot could reach the intended destination. Appeals rang out amongst the Watford players for a penalty but the ball was cleared away by Borough and no spot kick was awarded.

A minute later, Stevenage were playing commanding football and their confidence got a boost when Yemi Odubade's shot on target caused Watford goalie Gilmartin to scramble for the ball in the Watford box.

McGinn and Mingoia then tried their luck at the other end, the duo each taking a shot towards goal but the Stevenage defence seemed rock solid, much to the Hornets' dismay and the score-line stayed goalless.

Stevange's goalkeeper had to make a toe-poking save on 24 minutes from Graham's effort on target, the ball looking like it was safely home until former 'Orn Chris Day stuck his foot out to stop the ball from going any further.

Borough continued to look strong and passed the ball well, breaking away from Watford several times to test Gilmartin in between the sticks. But the towering 6' 5" 'keeper didn't let anything trouble him in the air, making the saves look almost effortless.

Hodson crossed a great ball to John Eustace across the goal mouth as the game entered the 40th minute. But, the skipper struggled to get on the end of it, Stevenage defenders blocked him and after a brief confusion in the box and an attempt from Sordell cleared too, the home side booted the ball down field.

The first half came to a close with not much to separate the two sides in the game, with Stevenage providing a good test and run-out for the Hornets.

Following a chance for Sordell to open the second half within the first five minutes, Lloyd Doyley had a go at the target on 51 minutes from just outside the area, his looping ball dropping too late however, much to the dismay of the Watford faithful in the away end.

Three minutes later, Gilmartin proved his place in the night's starting XI as Charlie Griffin shot a low, close range ball towards the Irishman's goal. But the 'keeper was incredibly quick to react, guessing the right way and taking the ball safely in his hands.

The Hornets seemed to be regaining some of their confidence and Mingoia had a go at goal, sending a curling shot from the left towards Day's goal, his shot only slightly wide of the target.

In the 57th minute of the encounter at the Lamex Stadium, a great run by the in-form Graham was finished off by Scotsman McGinn who netted his third goal of the pre-season campaign.

The midfielder tapped home the ball after Graham did the leg work in the middle of the park and the goal gave the visitors a second wind as the game moved into the hour marker.

On 62 minutes, Sordell showed some nice play, linking up with Don Cowie on the right to move the ball forward. A few minutes later the young striker picked up a ball from Doyley on the left of the field, floating a neat cross into the box, leaving Day to have to tip the ball over the crossbar to save the home side from a two-goal deficit.

The Championship side now looked much more in control of the game, creating chances and finding space to move forward among the battling home team.

Sordell once again was the man on the ball, making another run up the left flank but this time the shot was wide.

A few seconds later however, on 73 minutes, the youngster received the ball from Graham deep in the penalty area as his hard-work finally paid off, as he thumped the ball into the back of the net at close range putting the Hornets two goals in front in Hertfordshire.

The League Two outfit refused to give up however, challenging Gilmartin's goal a few times, but the commanding Irishman made sure he caught the ball confidently.

Gilmartin yet again made a brilliant save for the Hornets on 82 minutes as the home side increased the pressure on his goal with a shot from substitute Stacey Long. But the fearless Irishman wasn't phased, pulling a fantastic diving save out of the bag to deny the League Two outfit a first goal.

The quick-thinking Hodson saved the day for the Golden Boys a moment later as Borough continued to push for the consolation goal, the defenders strength and quick reactions making him able to clear the ball away from the danger area with little problem.

Graham took a shot up the other end on 84 minutes, the striker one-on-one with Day, but his curling effort was just too long to send the ball home for the Hornets.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH: Day; Henry, Bostwick, Roberts, Laird; Wilson (Sills 75), Murphy (Mousinho 61), Byrom, Winn (Long 61); Odubade (Savage 65), Griffin (Beardsley 75).

WATFORD: Gilmartin; Hodson, Taylor, Mariappa, Doyley; Cowie, McGinn, Eustace (c) (Jenkins 58), Mingoia; Sordell (Whichelow 75), Graham (Henderson 88). Subs not used: Loach, Aldred, Kiernan, Oshodi.

GOALS: STEVENAGE: none; WATFORD: McGinn (57), Sordell (73).