MARLON King's sublime second half strike was the highlight of an entertaining encounter with non league Boreham Wood as the Hornets won by three goals to nil.

Both teams lined up for their second friendly game of the pre-season, captain Gavin Mahon was missing for the Hornets with a knock picked up in training. It is not serious and he was rested as a precaution. Ex-Rotherham striker Will Hoskins was on the bench after recovering from illness.

Big defender Dan Shittu was back in the starting line-up after missing the start of pre-season due to his involvement with the Nigerian national team.

The first chance of the game came in the first minute, Adrian Mariappa playing a lovely ball down the right channel to Tamas Priskin who cut into the 18 yard box and laid the ball to Marlon King, and his effort looped just over the bar.

The 'Orns went agonisingly close in the seventh minute as Tommy Smith delivered an inch perfect cross to Priskin and his header was tipped over by Boreham Wood keeper Noel Imber.

The Hornets forced a number of corners in quick succession as they looked to take a lead against their neighbours - Priskin in particular was looking strong and confident in the air. Boreham Wood's closest effort of the opening exchanges came from Greg Morgan, his shot flashed wide of Mart Poom's right hand post.

Tamas Priskin opened the scoring in the 22 minute as he got on the end of a deep cross into the box and nodded past Imber in the Boreham Wood goal.

Smith and Jobi McAnuff in the wide positions were always quick to break and looked to play in King and Priskin at every opportunity. Both were seeing plenty of the ball and had the beating of their respective full backs. 

Boreham Wood's best chance of the first period came to their big number 9 Chris Bangura after he beat Poom to a cross in to the box. After a scramble in the box his effort went just over the bar.

The Hornets were awarded a penalty kick in the 39 minute after Lee Williamson was dragged down in the box, King stepped up to take the kick and he dragged his low shot wide of the right hand post.

Watford were the stronger, more confident outfit in the first half but they couldn't build on Priskin's goal. Boreham Wood worked hard and passed the ball neatly but rarely tested Poom. 

Half time score: Boreham Wood 0 Watford 1

Just two minutes into the second half and King's six yard shot was blocked on the line by the goalkeeper after Priskin again found space down the right channel and whipped the ball into the box. The Golden Boys started in an urgent fashion intent on extending their lead.  

The pressure continued as the Hornets forced two corners as they tried their luck down the right flank. Al Bangura's quick floated corner managed to somehow miss everyone in the penalty box. 

The pressure paid off in the 51 minute as King found his shooting boots with an inch-perfect bending shot from outside the box. After neat build up play involving Williamson, the ball fell to King and he picked his spot and fired past the goalkeeper. The sublime finish brought a round of applause from everyone inside Meadow Park.

In the 58 minute the Hornets brought on their substitutes with 11 new players entering the fold. As the subs were taking place the heavens opened and the rain finally came down.   

The two new forwards, Will Hoskins and Hameur Bouazza, combined well and Bouazza's rasping drive stung the hands of Imber in goal. The Algerian was looking lively in attack and his forceful running down both channels was causing some problems for Boreham Wood.

At another corner kick Clarke Carlisle, now captain having replaced the steady Matt Jackson, saw his hooked shot dribble wide of the post after another prolonged period of pressure for the Hornets.

Boreham Wood's number 8 Bryon Harrison had a header that went just over the bar as he escaped his man in the crowded penalty box, this came in the 70 minute as was the first real opportunity for the non league side since the restart. 

Bouazza found the net on 78 minutes for the Golden Boys to make it 3-0 following a good deep cross from Anthony McNamee on the left hand side.

As the rain lashed down at Boreham Wood the Hornets had a goal disallowed with only minutes remaining, following a scramble in the box, Alex Campana was unmarked at the far post but the assistant referee quickly raised his flag. 

Douglas Rinaldi limped from play in stoppage time and the 'Orns played out the final few second of injury time with 10 men.

The game is another step on the ladder as the first team build their fitness with all starting players getting 60 minutes under their belt. Next step for the Aidy Boothroyd's men is the tour of Germany taking in two games next week.

WATFORD: Poom (Lee 58), Mariappa (Doyley 58), Stewart (Parkes 58), Shittu (Avinel 58), Jackson (c) (Carlisle 58), Williamson (O'Toole), Bangura (Rinaldi 58), Smith (McNamee), King (Bouazza 58), Priskin (Hoskins 58), Smith (Campana)

Goals: Priskin (22), King (51), Bouazza

BOREHAM WOOD: Imber, Cox (Stewart 45), Moran, Williams, Smith (Samuels 45), Reynolds (Burrows 45), Morgan, Harrison, Bangura (Williams 73), Lockett, Watters (Donovan 73)

Subs not used: Horton

Referee: G. Scott