Hornets on international duty (From Watford Observer)

Lee Hodson and Adam Thompson notch international caps

9:12am Thursday 16th August 2012 in Sport By

Watford defender Lee Hodson started Northern Ireland’s 3-3 draw against Finland last night.

The 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes in a thrilling game which saw Martin Paterson score an 84th minute penalty to bring the scores level.

Michael O’Neill’s side were pleased to salvage a draw and avoid what would have been their eighth successive defeat.

However they know they will have to improve when they kick-off their World Cup qualifying campaign against Fabio Capello’s Russia team.

Hodson’s team-mate Adam Thompson also started an international friendly last night as he played for Northern Ireland’s Under-21 side during a 3-2 away defeat to Hungary.

The former captain of Watford’s academy team started at right-back in a close game for the young side.

Despite levelling to make the score 1-1 at half-time, Hungary were too strong in the second period as they dominated the young Irish team.

The home side added two goals early on in the second-half before James Gray pulled one back during injury time.