Oscar Garcia's first game as Watford head coach ended in a 1-0 win against Hemel Hempstead Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly at London Colney.

The Spaniard, who succeeded Beppe Sannino on Tuesday, took charge of a strong Hornets side, which included those who had not received international call-ups.

Diego Fabbrini scored the game’s only goal in the first of two 30-minute periods, following good work from Odion Ighalo.

Watford set up in a 4-3-3, with first-year professional Jorell Johnson at left-back. Heurelho Gomes was in goal, with Lloyd Doyley, Gabriele Angella and Joel Ekstrand making up the rest of the defence.

Sean Murray, Keith Andrews and Lewis McGugan comprised the midfield, whilst Ighalo was flanked by Fabbrini and Lloyd Dyer.

Nice build-up play between Ighalo and Dyer saw the latter round the Hemel Hempstead goalkeeper only to overrun the ball with the goal gaping.

The Hornets took the lead after 19 minutes, Ighalo cleverly beating the offside trap before squaring for Fabbrini to convert from a yard out.

Garcia made a handful of changes at the break, introducing captain Troy Deeney, midfielders Connor Smith and George Byers, young keeper Shaun Rowley and Luke O'Nien at left-back.

Watford kept the Conference South side at arms’ length after the re-start, with Deeney seeing several shots blocked and Smith’s low effort saved as the Hornets eased to a win.

Watford: Gomes (Rowley); Doyley, Angella, Ekstrand, Johnson (O’Nien); Murray, Andrews (Byers), McGugan (Smith); Fabbrini, Ighalo (Deeney), Dyer.