HAVING enjoyed more comfortable wins over this spirited opposition from Bedfordshire, it was a different story inside Watford FC training ground’s inflatable dome as Watford IFC laboured to an ill-deserved 2-1 victory over Hatters Fans FC.

This 12-a-side encounter (agreed due to dome pitch size) was by far the closest of the recent contests – played once again in true IFA spirit, and refereed well by Jez Hinds.

Luton’s containment policy had failed them on previous occasions, but this time the Hornets got frustrated with their own below-par passing game combined with indecision in the final third.

It took a mix-up between visiting goalkeeper and defender to grant the Internet ‘Orns a 1-0 interval lead with an own-goal from a Ben Kelly header moments before the half-time whistle.

Watford improved marginally after the break, but there could be no denying Town’s claim to a deserved equaliser when a long ball forward from a free-kick was meant with a firm header to restore parity.

Despite many personnel changes in the search for a magic formula, the Hornets continued to look unlikely to take the game by the scruff of the neck. It took a rare moment of quality 12 minutes from time – a turn and emphatic finish by Adam Gallichan – to finally break the stubborn opposition resistance.

WIFC: Matt Mesiano; Matt Ainsley, Ben Bateman, Michael Viney, David Sitkowski; Rob Stone, John Sitkowski, Tom Labbett; Alex Newman, Adam Gallichan, Richard Murphy, Stuart Nicholls (c).
Subs used: Lamar St-Cyr, Charlie Wood, Connor Church, Dean Maloney, Ben Kelly.