AC Horsens 0 Watford 4

Watford's preparations for the new season continued in fine style with a thumping victory over top-flight Danish outfit AC Horsens on Monday evening.

Played on a balmy evening in East Jutland, the hosts simply had no answer to a rampant Golden Boys outfit who rattled in four goals without reply, Marlon King with a brace, Darius Henderson and Hungarian triallist, Tamas Priskin the scorers.

Perhaps just as pleasing as the result was the first clean sheet of the new campaign and manager Aidy Boothroyd will be looking for his side to continue that form into the remainder of pre-season and beyond.

The evening began with Boothroyd picking a strong starting eleven, which included starts for Adrian Mariappa, partnering Jay DeMerit in the heart of defence, new signing Damien Francis in midfield, and the tried and trusted front three of King, Henderson and Ashley Young.

The small travelling contingent of Watford fans did not have to wait long to cheer their team's first goal, barely six minutes had elapsed when King finished off a fine move started by Lloyd Doyley and continued by James Chambers.

The hosts managed to post a fine response, and almost restored equality with their first meaningful attack, Watford goalkeeper, Richard Lee just managing to tip Kasper Klausen's effort onto the bar and away to safety.

However, the visitors began to reassert their authority as the first half wore on, and they were rewarded with a doubling of their lead just after the half hour mark.

King, happily looking as sharp as last season, collected a throw from Jordan Stewart before pivoting and rifling a shot that flew past Michal Hmera in the home goal.

Young almost increased Watford's lead just before the break, the Stevenage born front man leaving the AC Horsens trailing in his wake before screwing his shot juts wide of Hmera's post.

The second half began in much the same fashion as the first, and Watford soon made the game safe with a third goal, Darius Henderson planting a header across and beyond AC Horsens' substitute goalkeeper, Lasse Borg following an accurate delivery by Young.

The hosts did come back into the contest as Boothroyd's men briefly relaxed, and Lee had to be alert to deny, Steffen Ernemann, Klausen and substitute, Joel Tchami as the home side sought a consolation, but an entertaining evening was to end as it started with Priskin, a replacement for Henderson, adding the coup de grace seven minutes from time, his fourth goal in as many games.

So a useful workout for Watford, and whilst there may be many stiffer challenges around the corner, a resounding clean sheet victory can only bolster the confidence of the players ahead of their eagerly awaited Vicarage Road date with Italian giants, Inter Milan next Tuesday, Kick-off 7.45pm.