WATFORD IFC made full use of a strong line-up to run out emphatic winners against their Luton Town counterparts; 4-1 the final score on the manicured surface of Watford FC’s academy training pitches.

Aside from an early spell of brief pressure, this was a game the Hornets were well in control of, using the full width of the pitch to create numerous promising situations.

Tom Labbett stroked the hosts ahead after 20 minutes, arriving late in the box to finish a low cross from Ben Kelly who had been found by Frank Smith – making a welcome return to the WIFC fold.

The single-goal interval lead was doubled not long into the second 45 when Kelly turned the ball home at the far post before displaying his trademark exuberant celebration.

Captain Ally Hill, who would later have a goal controversially ruled out amid confusion surrounding the goal netting, scored Watford’s third from close-range.

Charlie Wood danced round the keeper to round off a sweeping Hornets’ move for the fourth – but only after the Hatters had given themselves brief hope with a set-piece goal thanks to pretty much the only defensive lapse of the morning from Watford.

Manager Richard Walker returned to action in goal, but the outstanding performance from the back four ensured a largely untroubled 90 minutes as he begins to prepare his side for the IFA British Cup Final against Queen’s Park in Preston a fortnight hence.

Internet ‘Orns: Walker; Stone, D Sitkowski, Moss, Smith; Shelock, Anderson, Labbett; St-Cyr, Hill (c), Kelly.
Subs used: C Brandy, Viney, Wood, Church.
Sub not used: O’Connor.