THE Hornets suffered their first defeat of the pre-season as they went down 5-1 to Maccabi Haifa in Germany this afternoon.

Aidy Boothroyd was without four players due to injuries. Goalkeeper Richard Lee didn't travel from the team hotel due to illness so Mart Poom continued between the sticks. Clarke Carlisle has a minor hip problem so the management decided not to risk the ex-Leeds man, in his place was Dan Shittu making his first pre-season appearance.

Wide man Tommy Smith again missed out due to a rib injury while Darius Henderson who traveled with the squad was unavailable due to a heel injury.

Macabbi Haifa played in Europe last season and reached the last 16 of the Uefa Cup after going out of the Champions League to Liverpool. They're already well into their pre-season programme after playing in the Intertoto Cup last weekend. Their European experience was certainly clear as their quick passing proved too much for Boothroyd's men. 

The opening exchanges saw the Hornets looking to try their luck down the flanks with Jobi Anuff and Hameur Bouazza supported by Jordan Stewart and Aidy Mariappa in the full back positions. 

Academy graduate Mariappa had a good start to the clash with a number of good tackles and balls down the line for McAnuff and Marlon King. The Hornets had the first chance of the game after 12 minutes with Bouazza surging down the left after Macabbi Haifa lost the ball in midfield. The Algerian international put in a great cross in to Tamas Priskin but his shot was deflected wide and out for a corner. Shortly after Bouazza was at it again but this time his cross was headed out and captain Gavin Mahon blasted his shot wide.

The Israeli side were playing neat football but had so far been caught by the Watford offside trap, however they were starting to have some joy down the Hornets' right hand side with a number of lovely floated balls into the box.

Maccabi Haifa took the lead on 30 minutes with a 25 yard wonder strike that was unstoppable and flew in past Poom. Then just five minutes later it was 2-0 to the Israeli side. Again, it was a ball in from their left and after evading the defence, it was calmly controlled and slotted past the outstretched Poom. The Hornets had been stung with two quick strikes, one a long range strike from nothing and the other a neat build and finding cross which cut the Watford defence in half.

Boothroyd's side tried to bounce back but King saw his drive saved and Priksin couldn't get on the end of a Shittu head down. The third goal for Macabbi Haifa came just three minutes from the interval, a ball was played over the top of the Watford defence which wasn't dealt with quick enough and soon enough Poom was beaten to make it 3-0. 

Half time: Watford 0 Macabbi Haifa 3

The 'Orns came out of the second half with a mountain to climb as Haifa showed their European pedigree with a strong finish to the first half. It was indeed Watford who had the first chance as Priskin just missed a ball in from Bouazza after an excellent neat team move.

Maccabi Haifa hadn't finished though and Poom needed to be at his best to deal with a strong shot. Boothroyd's side weren't finished either though and they could have grabbed two quick goals back but both King and McAnuff saw their respective shots saved and blocked. 

It was 4-0 after 74 minutes as the Hornets were caught by a quick break down the flank and Poom had no chance as Macabbi Haifa continued with their clinical finishing.

Four minutes later Bouazza grabbed a consulation to make it 4-1 as he finished powerfully from the edge of the 18 yard box following a neat passing from the 'Orns.

The game looked to be finished at that score but Mahon was the last to connect with a Haifa free kick and his touch went in off Poom's post to make it 5-1 to the Israeli team.

That was the final action of the game as Maccabi Haifa showed why they made such an impression in Europe last campaign . For the Hornets it was a harsh lesson but their accurate finishing, outstanding movement and pinpoint passing was too much for Boothroyd's men to handle. 

Watford: Poom, Mariappa (Parkes 81), Stewart, Jackson (Doyley 66), Shittu (Avinel 73), Williamson, McAnuff ,Mahon, King (Hoskins 66), Priskin (McNamee 66), Bouazza

Scorers: Bouazza (78)