WATFORD finished top in a five-goal pre-season encounter here at Vicarage Road this afternoon, as Parma lost out 3-2 to the Golden Boys.

Despite going behind, the Golden Boys looked dangerous going forward and were convincing in front of goal.

First half goals from Tommy Smith and Danny Graham put the Hornets in front at the break and Tamas Priskin added a third during the second half.

Parma came back strong but the goals were good enough to hand the Hertfordshire side a win with the start of the Championship season just seven days away.

Following a morning shower the signs looked bleak but the rain held off as the crowd inside Vicarage Road welcomed the two teams.

A small but noisy band of Italian fans had gathered in the top corner of the Upper Rous Stand and they cheered their side before and throughout the game.

Watford boss Malky Mackay named a strong starting side for the visit of the newly promoted outfit, in the final pre-season friendly of the summer.

Winger Jobi McAnuff was the only one missing from the team, the former Eagle unavailable through illness.

Scott Loach started in goal, while captain Jay DeMerit was at the heart of defence alongside Mike Williamson.

Tommy Smith off the ground

Don Cowie and Tommy Smith occupied the channels with new signing Danny Graham in attack along with Tamas Priskin.

Fellow new boy Scott Severin was in central midfield alongside Academy graduate Ross Jenkins.

Parma lined up in a 4-3-3 formation and looked dangerous on the attack.

Williamson was on hand early on to read an excellent pass from Jonathan Biabiany to Alberto Paloschi, the tall defender sticking an important leg out to avert the danger.

Despite the Italians looking dangerous in attack, Watford made the most of the possession they did have.

After Priskin was hacked down 25 yards out from goal, referee Kevin Friend awarded the home side a free kick.

The ball was floated gently into the area and Williamson had made his way up from the back.

Don Cowie: Industrious as always

He easily won the ball at the back post and his header was directed down towards Graham.

The former Carlisle man thought quickly and poked the ball to Priskin, the Hungarian was eyeing up an attempt at goal but a covering Parma defender timed his tackle brilliantly.

On nine minutes the Golden Boys produced a terrific attacking move.

Cowie broke from deep and looked inventive and full of energy as usual.

He drifted over towards the right flank where Priskin and right back Adrian Mariappa were on hand to assist.

The trio linked up well and Mariappa tried to put in a ball close to the by-line but he was left with too much to do.

Scott Severin tangles for the ball

However it was still a delight to watch and showed a glimpse of some of the moves the 'Orns have been rehearsing on the training pitch.

On 15 minutes, Smith saw his deflected effort go out for a corner and then six minutes later the dangerous Alberto Paloschi saw his goal bound shot saved by Loach.

With 22 minutes gone Parma showed their class in and around the penalty area.

Davide Lanzafame picked out Paloschi at the far post but he couldn't direct his shot at the goal.

Six minutes later Parma got their noses in front. The visitors were awarded a free kick and Nicolas Cordova hit a terrific swerving shot at Loach.

The England under 21 stopper could only parry the strong shot and Massimo Paci was on hand to finish from a matter of yards, directly in fnot of The Rookery.

Watford looked to bounce back straight away and again it was Williamson who looked dangerous in the Parma area.

He rose tallest yet again but his header missed the target by the smallest of margins.

On 34 minutes the Golden Boys equalised and it was another good attacking move.

Smith & Graham celebrate

The move started after Mariappa had won the ball back after losing possession down the Watford right flank.

Mariappa put a dangerous cross into the box and Graham headed down to Priskin.

The Hungarian saw his shot saved but Smith was there to follow up and score the easiest of goals.

Just two minutes later the home side got themselves in front.

It was another exciting move as the Watford forwards linked up well.

Smith was the inventor and after the referee chose to play on following Smith's shirt being tugged down by the touchline, the former Academy player wriggled away and cut inside.

He then looked up and slid a ball across the six yard box to Graham, who was at the far corner.

In space, the former 'Boro striker again had the easiest of tasks and hit the ball into the net past the despairing Italian 'keeper.

The Parma players weren't happy with the referee for waving the game to continue, despite his assistant waving for a foul.

Parma 'keeper Antonio Mirante was booked for his trouble and the game restarted after the referee had dealt with the complaints.

Priskin, Severin, Graham and Smith celebrate

Graham still had time to blast over at the end of the first half but it was a good first 45 minute introduction to the season from the Golden Boys.

After the break the Hornets grabbed a third goal to give the home side a two-goal cushion.

Former Aberdeen midfielder Severin lashed a free kick at goal.

Mirante was equal to and a scramble then followed.

Williamson nearly got a shot in before Priskin found the inch of space he needed and fired a low shot into the corner of the goal.

Watford looked to be in control of the game now but Parma eventually got a goal back.

It came from nothing and was a wonder strike that brought a round of applause from everyone inside Vicarage Road.

Ellington keeps his eyes on the ball

The Italian side's number 17 McDonald Mariga hit a superb driving shot from 25 yard that hit the crossbar and then nestled in the empty net, the sheer pace and power of it had the beating of the athletic Loach in the Watford goal.

On 68 minutes Cowie's free kick was tipped round the past by sub 'keeper Nicola Pavarini, who had a busy start to his time on the pitch.

Nathan Ellington was introduced on 71 minutes, taking the place of Priskin in attack.

Following Parma's second strike the game was now in the balance, as the Italians pressed and looked for an equaliser.

Sub Alessio Mazoni nearly put the scores level when his shot inside the area was well saved by Loach.

Loach and the gaffer at the final whistle

The Hornets were under pressure but they nearly added a fourth on 79 minutes, when against the run of play, Cowie took advantage of a misplaced pass in the Parma area and smashed an effort at goal.

It was a hard shot and sub Pavarini stood up to it and pulled off a terrific save.

During the closing, boss Mackay sent three subs on with Lee Hodson, Michael Bryan and Jon Harley all getting a taste of the action to complete a sucessful day for the Hornets on their home turf.

WATFORD (4-4-2): Loach; Mariappa (Hodson 88), Williamson, DeMerit (c), Doyley; Smith, Jenkins, Severin, Cowie (Harley 88); Priskin (Ellington 71), Graham (Bryan 88). Subs: Travner, Lee (gk), Henderson.

PARMA (4-3-3): Mirante; Zenoni, Lucarelli, Paci, Castellini; Cordova, Morrone (Manzoni 54), Mariga; Biabiany, Paloschi, Lanzafame. Subs: Pavarini (gk), Antonelli, Coppola, Lunardini, Leon, Dellafiore, Manzoni, Budel, Paponi.

BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. PARMA; Mirante (dissent 37), Manzoni (professional foul 70), Coppola (professional foul 88).

SENDINGS OFF: WATFORD; none. PARMA; none.

GOALS: WATFORD; Smith (34), Graham (36), Priskin (52). PARMA; Paci (28), Mariga (64).

REFEREE: K Friend.

ATTENDANCE: 3,598.