WATFORD'S first XI finished their pre-season with a disappointing 3-2 defeat at Barnet this afternoon (Saturday).

Leaving manager Aidy Boothroyd which much work to do and plenty to ponder ahead of the Championship's maiden set of fixtures, Watford were undone by a trio of straightforward goals on the final Saturday before the season proper.

Goals from the impressive Adam Birchall, Karim Rouani and Luke Medley were enough for the Bees to secure victory on the slopes of Underhill, despite replies from Jon Harley and Dan Shittu in the second half.

Young Hornet Ross Jenkins in the thick of the action

The Hornets' boss handed starts to both 17-year-old Ross Jenkins and 19-year-old Theo Robinson to give the visitors a youthful edge to their side.

In part that was caused by a slight injury to Tommy Smith, whilst John Eustace was rested on the bench ahead of next weekend's opener at Crystal Palace. Hulking defender Shittu joined those players benched for the afternoon.

The rain teemed down as the sides warmed up in this southernmost part of Hertfordshire, but there was welcome change to the inclement weather as the game opened up in brighter conditions.

Straight from the off Watford pressed and that quick start saw triallist Ulises De La Cruz send in a low drive from 25-yards out of goal.

It was a plenty competitive encounter in the early minutes but still little was being carved out, a weak Harley shot the most to speak to of as Lee Harrison sprawled low to gather.

Just short of the 15 minute mark the Hornets fashioned a great chance, and one that was certainly the best of the game so far.

Winning a flicked header Tamas Priskin fed Jobi McAnuff, whose low right-footed pass found Robinson tearing forth into the penalty area.

Creating space he opened up the angle and drove a low effort just centimeters past the right hand upright of Harrison. It should have been 1-0 to Watford.

Theo Robinson breaks through at pace

At the other end some heroic last ditch defending from De La Cruz just kept the lively Birchall at bay as he looked to exploit the 'Orns four man defence with his pace.

De La Cruz was looking dangerous on the right in attack as well as performing solidly at the back and he won a 20^th minute free-kick which he delivered to Priskin, whose looping header was held under his crossbar by Harrison.

A neat move midway through the half saw McAnuff angle a superb cross-field pass to the right and Robinson's feet, his centre fizzing past goal much to the alarm of the Barnet faithful.

McAnuff provides more ammunition for the forwards

All the panic was at the other end some moments later though as Ashley Carew tore into space down the Watford left and let fly a low, fast cross which flashed off the head of Birchall and straight into the arms of the well positioned Scott Loach. It was a move that, in fairness, deserved more.

With the game opening up Priskin saw a headed chance come and go whilst at the other end Cliff Akurang bottled an opening and instead wasted a cross which could have seen Birchall on the mark.

McAnuff, latching on to a long raking, diagonal pass, took the chance on his right foot before seeing 'keeper Harrison save well with his outstretched right leg.

With the break fast approaching former Hereford loanee Robinson had three bites of the cherry as the ball kept breaking loose for him on the edge of the area - on each occasion though the Barnet defence threw bodies in the way of the short, stinging drives.

In the tackle... McAnuff gets involved in the action

For the home side Birchall had looked their biggest threat throughout the half, and it was no surprise that he was their scorer when they finally did open up the visiting defence.

Muscling his way past Leigh Bromby on the edge of the area he tore onto Joe Devera's long pass and half-volleyed with ferocious power into the right-hand side of the net, with Loach helpless against the sheer speed of the shot.

The 'Orns trudged in a goal down at the break, knowing that it was now time to start converting chances and taking advantage of the possession that was theirs.

Shittu was introduced at half-time for fellow centre-back Leigh Bromby but sadly, before Boothroyd's side had time to think about a leveler, they found themselves two down.

An inventive free-kick routine saw a low ball slid down the right inside channel, catching the Watford wall and defenders flat-footed Birchall's short run resulted in a low near post cross which was pushed home in a melee by the Bees' triallist Rouani.

Just past the hour mark a Harley cross was narrowly headed over by Hungarian Priskin, but this was the closest the 'Orns had come to replying.

In a bid to pep the attack Will Hoskins was introduced for McAnuff some minutes later. Thankfully, pepped they were.

With just 15 minutes to go Boothroyd's men finally struck gold when Harley netted his second goal in as many games from his new left midfield position.

Priskin, holding the ball well on the edge of the area, did well to spot, and then find the overlapping Mat Sadler. Calm and composed Sadler delivered a sweet cross for Harley to dive onto with his head at pace.

Harley motoring for the 'Orns with another goal

Priskin had a further chance after some good work by Jenkins in midfield, but it was all to little avail as the Bees made it three on the day with just eight minutes to go.

This time substitute Medley sprung the offside trap, much to the annoyance of Jay DeMerit and Shittu, but having done so the number 12 rounded his former Bradford City colleague Loach to stroke the ball home with ease for the third and a certain winner in this fixture.

Still keen to make a game of it Hoskins saw a cool strike arrow past the upright but that disappointment was cushioned somewhat when Shittu pulled a goal back heading home Lee Williamson's left wing corner.

Shittu stabs home with his head for a Watford second

In the end though two goals weren't enough for the Hornets as they found their backline breached three times by a lively Bees' attack.

But whilst defeat this weekend doesn't matter Boothroyd and Co. will know that come next Saturday a similar outcome will be far more serious as the real stuff begins at Selhurst Park.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison (Kadoch HT); Carew, Yakubu, Devera (Leary HT), Gillet; Adomah (Jardin 87), Porter, Deverdics (Tabiri 71), St Aimie; Akurang (Rouani HT), Birchall (Medley 74). Subs not used: Bishop.

WATFORD (4-3-3): Loach; De La Cruz (Doyley 73), Bromby (Shittu HT), DeMerit, Sadler; Jenkins, Williamson, Harley; Robinson, Priskin, McAnuff (Hoskins 66). Subs not used: Poom (gk), Eustace, Mariappa, Ainsworth.

BOOKINGS: BARNET; none. WATFORD; none.

SENDINGS OFF: BARNET; none. WATFORD; none.

GOALS: BARNET; Birchall (42), Rouani (53), Medley (82). WATFORD; Harley (74), Shittu (84).

ATTENDANCE: 1,320 (467 Watford supporters).