Boreham Wood 2 Watford 5

Watford recovered from the shock of conceding two first half goals as they overcame the spirited challenge of Ryman League Premier Division Boreham Wood on Saturday. 

Fielding an experienced side which included a number of last season's first team, the Golden Boys found themselves in real trouble at the break, thanks primarily to the predatory skills of Darrell Cox, but a second half brace by Hungarian triallist, Tamas Priskin, adding to goals by Ashley Young, Hameur Bouazza and Darius Henderson ensured Watford comfortably avoided any embarrassment. 

The livewire Cox announced himself as early as the game's third minute, rising highest to covert a pin point Chris Watters corner that gave the hosts an unexpected lead.  

As worryingly as the strike was the timing of the goal, the third time in five days Watford had conceded inside the opening moments of a match.  

Cox almost added another soon after, exploiting unexpected rustiness in the legs of Lloyd Doyley and Jay DeMerit before the visitor's, gradually clearing their heads, came desperately close to an equaliser, Priskin, impressive against Northwood earlier in the week, flashing an effort just past Noel Imber's right hand post with the keeper struggling. 

However, any thoughts of impending parity for the visitor's were to be soon dispelled as Cox struck for a second time.  

Taking advantage of indecision in the Watford rearguard the former Cheshunt striker, with a keen eye for goal, fired home past Scott Loach following an accurate delivery from Tommy Williams. 

The remainder of the first half saw the home side comfortably holding onto to their lead, as a surprisingly lack lustre Watford struggled to create any worthwhile opportunities, save for one effort from Bouazza just prior to the interval which narrowly to find it's intended target. 

This warning shot across the bows of the hosts was to go unheeded though, and if the opening stanza had proved to be one of disappointment for the Premiership side, especially from a defensive standpoint, the second period was to be a triumph if only in an attacking sense. 

Chastened no doubt by a stern talking too by manager, Aidy Boothroyd the players re-emerged in much more combative mood after the break and a three goal salvo within eight minutes of the restart effectively decided the game's outcome. 

Young almost immediately halved the arrears, tapping home an accurate Bouazza cross before Priskin levelled two minutes later, capitalising on good link up play by Marlon King and Young to convert past Imber. 

Priskin was soon to combine again with King to give Watford the lead, the latter finding Bouazza in space with an accurate cross and the Parisian needed no second invitation in despatching a close range header past a despairing Imber. 

That ended the scoring for a brief period, but Darius Henderson, a replacement for King was soon to add a fourth, finishing a neat move involving Chris Powell and the ever impressive Priskin.  

Thereafter Watford maintained complete control of the match, and the 19-year-old Priskin was to complete the scoring by notching his second of the afternoon, ending a move orchestrated by substitute, Claude Seanla. 

So victory for Boothroyd's merry men, and although the manager will be heartened by an outstanding comeback there must be concern with a shoddy first half performance and the conceding of yet another early goal.