Wycombe Wanderers 2 Watford 3

Watford's early preparations ahead of their return to the Premiership received a boost when they just overcame a spirited Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park on Wednesday evening, thanks to goals from last season's leading goalscorer, Marlon King and first half strikes by Matthew Spring and Malky Mackay.

Played in humid, hot conditions the contest was always an entertaining affair and Golden Boys manager, Aidy Boothroyd made full use of the workout, utilising 21 of the 22 players named for the clash.

As had happened at Northwood 24 hours previous Watford soon trailed, a right-wing free-kick delivery from the Choirboys' Chris Palmer eluded everyone apart from Will Antwi at the back post who headed past Scott Loach in the Watford goal.

Disappointment at conceding such a soft and early goal amongst the large travelling faithful in a 3, 300 strong crowd was tempered by the fact that the Wycombe Wanderers PA announcer rather perversely credited the goal to former Vicarage Road favourite, Tommy Mooney instead of Antwi.

Watford responded well to the setback however, scoring two goals of differing quality inside the game's first quarter.

Spring ended a good move by planting a fierce shot beyond Adam Legzding in the home goal with the Golden Boys first meaningful attack, and although Palmer came close with a long range effort for the hosts, a dreadful attempt at claiming an Ashley Young corner by a decidedly shaky Legzding in the 23rd minute allowed Mackay to poke home from close range to give the visitors an advantage.

The remainder of the first half was played with Watford seemingly in control, although the effervescent Mooney did create one opportunity for the Buckinghamshire outfit, his tenacity teeing up Kevin Betsy who just failed to hit the target when well placed.

The half time interval brought about many changes to the Watford line-up, and saw the introduction of summer signings, Chris Powell and Damien Francis for their non-competitive debuts.

The amendments to the playing personnel did little to alter the entertainment value though, and the action continued unabated at both ends of the pitch as darkness began to descend on another balmy summer's evening.

King, who had replaced normal strike partner Darius Henderson soon tested substitute Wycombe goalie, Frank Talia before Mooney restored equality from the penalty spot, the combative centre forward exacting maximum revenge after ending up on the receiving end of a clumsy challenge by Watford's replacement keeper, Richard Lee.

However, it was the hardworking King, the Championship's leading marksman of last year, who would decide the game's destiny moments later, the Jamaican international displaying his trademark drag back to defeat a defender before whipping a shot underneath a diving Talia.

The hosts to their credit kept battling and Palmer, together with Mike Williamson, both struck wood within seconds of each other, but Watford held firm thereafter to notch a second pre-season victory inside two days.

Early days, but encouraging signs, not least the performance of Joseph Desire-Job, the ex-Middlesbrough man playing his second match in as many days, while Albert Jarratt also showed enough promise when he came in the second half to suggest that he may also have a future at Vicarage Road.