GIANFRANCO ZOLA claimed his first win as Hornet’s boss this evening as Watford triumphed over Irish outfit Cork City 2-0.
Goals from Joe Garner and Piero Mingoia were enough for the Goldenboys to secure their first victory under the new boss at the third attempt.
It was all change once again for Zola’s charges who lined up in a 4-3-3 system to begin with, Sean Murray and Mark Yeates flanking Joe Garner as the central striker.
John Eustace returned to the centre of midfield alongside Almen Abdi and Jonathan Hogg whilst Martin Taylor and Nyron Nosworthy were re-united at the back.
Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia took his place amongst the substitutes along with Granada winger Ikechi Anya and Udinese forward, Steve Leo Beleck.
There was no place for Chris Iwelumo, Stephen McGinn, Matej Vydra or Fitz Hall however.
Garner got the ‘Orns off to the perfect start with a 16th minute strike, finishing with a low effort after collecting Abdi’s pass.
Despite heavy pressure from the hosts, and in particular, Harry Crawford, a former Parmiters student, Watford held on before grabbing a second.
Six minutes from time, diminutive midfielder Mingoia did the damage with his first of pre-season.
The young midfielder, clearly enjoying his renaissance under Zola, lashed into the bottom corner from all of 20 yards.
One would have to assume that new signings are imminent with Hall and Almunia both very much on public display at Wealdstone and Cork respectively. How many of the trialists (currently five) will sign on-loan or not remains to be seen however.
Watford: Bond; Hodson (Doyley HT), Taylor (Bennett 59, Thompson 70), Nosworthy (Mirfin 59), Pudil (Dickinson HT); Eustace (c)(Anya HT), Abdi (Whichelow 63), Hogg (Jenkins 59); Yeates (Forsyth 59), Garner (Beleck 63) & Murray (Mingoia 63).
Unused sub: Almunia (GK).
Next up: Spurs (H) Lloyd Doyley Testimonial, August 5.
