A WATFORD XI side this evening (Wednesday) won 3-1 against Wealdstone in pre-season friendly in Ruislip.

The win included some excellent goals from the Hornets. The pick of the bunch was a thunderbolt from Liam Henderson, but Gavin Massey also deserves great credit for his contribution to the move that led to his goal.

As for his goal, it was a sweet strike that gave the 'keeper no hope. Massey was a threat all game for the non league side as Watford looked confident going forward.

Meanwhile, the first of the goals was also pleasing on the eye.

Second year scholar Oliver Archer sent Watford into the lead with a strong drive from the best part of 25 yards. Archer spent a large part of last season on the sidelines so he will be pleased with his contribution tonight.

Scotsman Scott Severin was included in the starting line-up and he was partnered in central midfield by Ross Jenkins.

Henderson was in attack with Massey, while first-year pro Matty Whichelow was also in midfield.

Fresh from signing his new contract with Watford, Sean Murray was on the right hand side of midfield. 

Whichelow with former Golden Boys Forbes

New signing Tom Aldred partnered Eddie Oshodi in defence. Youngster Jack Bonham was in goal and scholars Tommie Hoburn and Archer were at full back.

For the hosts there were plenty of Watford links. Former Hornets Junior Osborne, Louis Lavers, Kurtney Brooks and Kieran Forbes were all included in the starting XI.

Stones started at a frantic pace as they rattled the Watford bar in less than a minute.

Striker Danny Burnell smashed Bonham's bar but the Academy first-year scholar got his gloves to the follow-up shot.

The 'Orns were in their brand new away kit - the first showing it has got in a match situation.

Murray was inventive early on for the Golden Boys as he firstly slotted a lovely ball through to Massey and he then beat Lavers to deliver a well-executed ball to the penalty area, unfortunately neither Henderson or Massey could get on the end of it.

Opposite Murray on the left flank was first-year Whichelow and he was bright and bubbly early on, linking up well with his full back Archer and running freely at former 'Orn Junior Osborne.

On 10 minutes, Henderson dragged an effort wide after the Hornets built up possession from midfield.

A minute later Osborne needlessly gave a throw-in straight to the 'Orns, but Henderson couldn't quite get his effort on target as it sailed wide.

First-year scholar Hoburn saw his far post header sail wide in the 23rd minute after a deep corner into the penalty box.

Sean Murray

Two minutes later opposite full ball back Archer's swerving strike beat Sam Beagle in the home net to send Watford into the lead.

Just before the half hour mark, Severin floated a free kick into the box. Henderson got his head on the end of it but couldn't direct his header on target to trouble Beagle.  

On 30 minutes, former Hornet Lavers sent a perfect delivery into the penalty area and Wealdstone's Greg Ngoyi headed it low and goalwards, but Bonham was equal to it and kept the away side in the lead.

Whichelow flashed a shot across the face of goal three minutes later as the Hornets confidently passed it around.

The away side were breaking with ease now and when they did Murray, Whichelow and Massey were all dangerous and a handful for the Stones.

Two minutes before the interval the 'Orns doubled their lead to make the score 2-0.

Massey won the ball in midfield and sent it out wide to Murray.

The 16-year-old sent a lovely ball and Massey was able to turn and ruthlessly struck past the stranded 'keeper.

The game had now come alive just as the half was ending. Wealdstone got one back with a neat goal from Ngoyi after a ball in from captain Adam Logie.

Henderson's strike makes the score 3-1

Then immediately Henderson extended Watford's lead with a thunderous strike that left the goalkeeper no chance. 

The second half started at a slower pace, but Jenkins slid an effort wide nine minutes after the re-start.

Murray was next in line to try and extend the lead for the Hornets but his pacy effort didn't trouble Beagle in the home net.

The home side made a number of substitutions during the second period as the game struggled to flow, the match couldn't quite get back to the pace it had been at before the break.

Whichelow was denied by sub 'keeper Shane McWeeney on 74 minutes after Massey broke fantastically well and selfishly put the ball across the box.

Watford were well in control throughout this game and they manage to see off Stones after the break and deny any attempts at a comeback.

WEALDSTONE: Beagle (McWeeney 72); Junior Osborne, Locke (Clarke 58), Cronn, Lavers (Sekora 68); Forbes, Brooks, Logie (Feristone 61), Ngoyo (J Osborne 61); Douglas (Ojukwui 68), Burnell. Subs not used: A Massey.  

WATFORD XI: Bonham; Hoban, Aldred, Oshodi, Archer; Murray (Isaac 85), Jenkins, Severin, Whichelow; Henderson, Massey (Smith 85). Subs not used: Bond (gk), Bevans, Assombalonga.

GOALS: WEALDSTONE; Ngoyi (45). WATFORD XI; Archer (25), Massey (43), Henderson (45).

BOOKINGS: WEALDSTONE; none. WATFORD; none.