Watford ease to pre-season win over SC Verl

Newly-promoted Premier League side Watford extended their unbeaten pre-season start to three games with a 4-1 win over German fourth-tier side SC Verl this evening.

Watford keeper Heurelho Gomes had to be alert to keep out an early Verl free kick, but the Hornets soon had the lead on the quarter-hour mark.

Odion Ighalo was the scorer, using his strength in the area to hold off a challenge before finding the net.

Ighalo's strike partner Troy Deeney was causing problems, but it was the former who doubled both his and Watford's total with a controlled finish from Etienne Capoue's cross.

Ikechi Anya made it three before half time to complete a dominant opening 45 for Quique Sanchez Flores's men.

Verl pulled one back with a penalty from Hamadi Al Ghaddioui midway through the second half, but Watford soon restored their three-goal advantage thanks to a dinked finish by Lloyd Dyer.