IT was a distinct clash of footballing cultures as Watford's pre-season preparations went up a notch in intensity when John Eustace's goal gave the Hornets a share of the spoils in Friday night's 1-1 draw with Spanish third division club CF Balaguer.

It was referee Sergi Cano Gazquez who made himself the game's most noticeable man with an eccentric performance which led to four Watford bookings and, incredibly, a red card for Tamas Priskin as well as three yellow cards dished out for the hosts.

Malky Mackay went with an experienced starting line-up featuring first appearances of the season for the returning Scott Loach and Jay DeMerit with French trialist Claudio Beauvue continuing on the right after making a positive first impression in Saturday's win at Wealdstone.

Jobi McAnuff also played for the first time since recovering from illness and Ross Jenkins and Don Cowie were over the knocks which ruled them out of the last friendly.

The Hornets started strongly with Danny Graham coming close on seven minutes when he almost latched onto Mike Williamson's ball over the top, only for Nogues in the Balaguer goal to intervene.

The first sign of things to come from Mr Gazquez came on 32 minutes when Hornets' skipper DeMerit went into the book for dissent after he became frustrated with some of the Spaniard's decisions.

It was only four minutes later that Watford took the lead after a period of good pressure.  Graham's powerful shot cannoned onto the crossbar and rebounded to Jobi McAnuff on the left. 

The winger crossed to Graham who made good contact with a header which the goalkeeper was only able to parry. John Eustace was on hand to tap home the rebound the put the English side in front.

Just before half time, Williamson became the second Hornet booked for an aerial challenge on Graus the Spanish striker. 

It was clear that the referee's interpretation of a foul was vastly different from that of the Watford defenders and the constant blowing of his whistle prevented the game from building any momentum or pattern.

Watford went in at half time with a deserved lead and made three changes at the break with Loach, DeMerit and Eustace replaced by Richard Lee, Jure Travner and Scott Severin. 

The changes meant a reorganisation of the back line with Mariappa going into the centre alongside Williamson, Doyley moving from left to right back and Travner slotting in on the left.

The former Wycombe defender almost doubled Watford's advantage eight minutes after the break when his powerful header from Beauvue's corner was well saved by the Balaguer substitute goalkeeper, Carrillo.

Ross Jenkins went into the book for a foul just before the hour mark as the match official continued his authoritarian ways.

On the hour, Mackay made his second wave of changes with a further three substitutions.  Nathan Ellington, Tamas Priskin and Tommy Smith entered the fray with Graham, Cowie and McAnuff making way.

The Hungarian striker made an instant impact with an incredible piece of skill by the right corner flag, outwitting two Spanish defenders and creating space for a viscous cross-shot which the goalkeeper did well to save.

Balaguer made their first entry into the referee's book when Graus was booked for a foul on Mariappa on 62 minutes.

The Spanish side continued to give as good as they got and fashioned good chances for Raya, a half time substitute, and Soldevila.

With just under 20 minutes to go, a great run by Tommy Smith almost brought a second goal for Watford. He broke after a Balaguer corner and went virtually the entire length of the pitch before crossing to Priskin who's shot was saved.

On 75 minutes, Mackay sent in the youngsters to see how they dealt with the situation of defending a 1-0 lead late on.  Lee Hodson and Rob Kiernan replaced Mariappa and Jenkins while Jon Harley also came on for Doyley.

Hodson was booked almost immediately for failing to retreat ten yards at a Balaguer free kick and from the resulting pressure, the Spaniards equalised.

The third free kick in quick succession was well-worked and created space for a shooting opportunity for Soldevila who finished very well from 15 yards with a rasping low drive into the corner.

In the aftermath of the equaliser, the referee dismissed Priskin from the match, presumably for dissent, although it wasn't clear. Mackay reacted by making his last change with Michael Bryan taking the place of Beauvue.

There match eventually petered out to a draw and Watford were relieved on the final whistle when Mr Gazquez confirmed that he wouldn't report the bookings to the relevant authorities as the players had been sufficiently punished in his view.

Watford: Loach (Lee 45); Mariappa (Hodson 75), Williamson, DeMerit (Travner 45), Doyley (Harley 75); Beauvue (Bryan 80), Eustace (Severin 45), Jenkins (Kiernan 75), McAnuff (Smith 60); Cowie (Priskin 60), Graham (Ellington 60). Subs not used: Henderson, Oshodi, Sordell,

Balaguer: Nogues (Carrillo 45), Usall (Vendrel 65), Egea, Cifuentes (Solanes 81), Cazorla (Figueres 65), Tenorio (Ciruela 81), Dago, Soldevila, Parra (Ribera 45), Graus (Monforte 81), Romero (Raya 45).

Goals: Watford: Eustace 36, Balaguer: Soldevila 80.
 

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