Luton Town 1 Watford 2

Ten-men Watford claimed the local bragging rights by taking all three points in an intense local derby at Kenilworth Road.

The much-anticipated match between the two bitter rivals had everything; a dismissal, end-to-end action and some resolute defending from the Hornets.

Watford got of to a lightening-quick start and was by far the superior side in the first half of the match that kicked off at noon due to police advice. After only nine minutes Aidy Boothroyd?s men raced into the lead. A Marlon King knock-down fell at the feat of the in-form Darius Henderson who drove the ball home from the edge of the area. The Oak Road End erupted as the jubilant Watford faithful celebrated taking the lead in the first local derby being played at Kenilworth Road since 1997. With twenty minutes gone, Luton striker Steve Howard dragged a shot wide and then on twenty-five minutes Hornets? centre-half Clarke Carlisle could not make the most of a Luton defensive error and hit a shot straight at Hatters? goalie Marlon Beresford.

With only twenty-nine minutes on the clock Watford controversially doubled the lead thanks to Scottish international Malky Mackay. An Anthony McNamee free-kick floated in from the edge of the right hand side of the box and appeared to miss everyone apart from Mackay. The centre-half was hand to knock the ball that Beresford collected but referee?s assistant Simon Beck correctly signalled that the ball had crossed the line. Watford went into the interval two goals to the good after dominating the first half.

The home side came out firing and did not have to wait long to get back into the game. On forty-nine minutes a James Chambers defensive error gifted the ball to Carlos Edwards on the edge of the area, he shot and left Ben Foster with no chance. On fifty-two minutes the impressive Ben Foster pulled-off an excellent save from a Steve Howard header that looked certain to hit the back of the net. Luton were continuing to force their way back into the match so Hornets? boss Aidy Boothroyd replaced left-winger Anthony McNamee with full-back Jordan Stewart who slotted into the left-back position with James Chambers filling the void left by McNamee.

Watford were cruelly reduced to ten men after Ashley Young was dismissed for retaliating at Kevin Foley after he was pushed over. Foley was booked but the Hornets? winger was sent-off for sticking his leg out when a caution would have been more appropriate. Boothroyd replaced James Chambers with Jay DeMerit on seventy-two minutes and Al Bangura with former Hatters midfielder Matthew Spring on seventy-seven minutes.

Luton tried to force their way back into match but some dogmatic defending ensured the three points were taking back down the M1 despite an injury-time appeal for a penalty by the home side.

Watford have won the last two meetings between the sides at Kenilworth Road and the jubilant Hornets gained revenge for a Luton win when the clubs last met in 2002.