WATFORD won their final pre-season friendly of the summer today (Saturday) as Danny Graham's strike was the difference between the Hornets and Charlton Athletic at Vicarage Road.
The goal continued his purple patch and boss Malky Mackay will be hoping the forward shows that form at Carrow Friday this coming Friday.
It was another useful workout for the 'Orns as Athletic provided competitive competition and it is one which will surely see them perform strongly in League One.
Martin Taylor was missing from the Watford team when it was announced an hour before kick-off.
The centre half being unavailable through injury resulted in a chance for new arrival Tom Aldred, he partnered Adrian Mariappa in the heart of the back four. Dale Bennett was also missing through injury.
Marvin Sordell was in the starting XI alongside Graham and Scotsman Stephen McGinn partnered John Eustace.
Charlton has some familiar faces in their team, including the experienced pair of Gary Doherty and Christian Dailly.
A small crowd had gathered inside The Vic and they warmly welcomed both sides to the hallowed turf.
Watford started strongly, no doubt it was the order from the coaches as the team didn't get going until the second half at Northampton last weekend.
They were fast out of the blocks and Don Cowie flashed a shot across the face of goal from the right hand side.
It never troubled Rob Elliot but indicated the 'Orns were keen to get the ball forward as quick as possible.
At the other end Charlton settled into a good rhythm as well and Alan McCormack had a shot blocked inside the first few minutes.
On seven minutes Charlton's Scott Wagstaff was lucky not to receive a caution after a late, unpleasant tackle on Cowie in front of the Hornets' 18 yard box.
If it had been a league game a card would undoubtedly have been produced, but referee Mr McDermid let the midfielder off with a few words.
On eight minutes Graham put the 'Orns in front with a cool finish as he continues to find the net with pleasing regularity.
McGinn was in the thick of the action on the edge of the box and after finding his progress thwarted, Sordell acted quickly and lashed at goal.
His shot was blocked but former Carlisle man Graham was alert and beat the central defenders to the ball and finished from inside the penalty area.
The south Londoners replied immediately and certainly didn't take the goal lightly.
Kyel Reid blasted an effort wide of Loach's goal in response. Reid looked like a handful on the left for Phil Parkinson's men.
His next attempt on 15 minutes was saved by Loach and put behind for a corner kick.
The visitors continued to look the more likely to score next as midfielder Therry Racon's ambitious shot had Loach moving quickly as he launched a decent effort on goal.
The Golden Boys did look promising though when they could attack, making use of Will Buckley's pace out wide alongside that of Sordell.
On 23 minutes he put in an excellent ball from the left after a strong run down the touchline.
His ball into the middle had Charlton worried as Sordell instinctively went to the near post but his effort at goal was blocked.
Racon wasn't afraid to shoot for Parkinson's side as he took charge of a free kick from 25 yards as it fizzed past Loach's post.
From the same wing Sordell was causing problems on the half hour mark. His well-executed ball in had the 'keeper scampering to meet him. Elliot managed to get a strong punch on it to clear the danger.
Six minutes before the break, Watford's England Under-21 stopper Loach was in good form as he denied Wagstaff once more.
The final chance of the half went to the visitors and it was an excellent one.
Full back Jamie Jackson stood over a free kick three minutes from the end of the first half. It was well struck and went just over the bar Loach's bar.
Four minutes after the restart, former Hammer Dailly played a delicate ball into the area that saw McCormack peel away from his marker and plant a header at goal. Thankfully Loach was in a good position as ever and effortlessly plucked the ball out of the air.
Charlton's defenders were at full stretch just before the hour mark as they blocked Sordell's shot after he made some space for himself in the penalty box.
Eddie Oshodi was introduced on 56 minutes as Aldred made way for the Academy graduate.
On 67 minutes Charlton had three good opportunities inside the Watford box. The first two were blocked and Loach stood up well to Racon's fierce drive to ensure the Hornets stayed ahead by a single goal.
The visitors upped their efforts for an equaliser after those chances as they drove at the Golden Boys.
Oshodi was in the thick of the defending for the Hornets, clearing his lines alongside fellow Academy graduate Mariappa.
Charlton sub Guillem Bauza fired a low shot at Loach on 77 minutes, but the former Lincoln stopper safely gathered the ball in his hands to keep the visitors at bay.
Against the run of play Graham forced a corner for the 'Orns after Buckley took advantage of a mishap in the Athletic defence.
The striker ran into the box but Elliot stood up tremendously well and turned the ball behind for a corner kick.
Watford were lucky to escape eight minutes from time as Reid came alive once more after a quieter second period.
He beat McGinn at the touchline and somehow his floated ball across goal didn't creep in the net. Charlton's attackers will also wonder how the ball kept out of the net. It was a warning sign for the Hornets that Reid and Charlton hadn't given up hope of an equaliser.
Doyley got the vital block in the final minute after there was a big scramble in the Watford box as Charlton threw everything they could at the home defence.
WATFORD: Loach; Hodson, Mariappa, Aldred (Oshodi 56), Doyley; Cowie, McGinn, Eustace (c), Buckley; Sordell, Graham. Subs not used: Gilmartin (gk), Jenkins, Mingoia, Bryan, Whichelow, Henderson.
CHARLTON: Elliot; Solly (Mambo 63), Dailly (c), Doherty (Lleera h/time), Jackson; Wagstaff (Fortune 71), Semedo (Abbott 54 ), McCormack, Racon, Reid; Sodje (Bauza 63). Subs not used: Stavrinou, Marshall (gk).
GOALS: WATFORD; Graham (8). CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.
BOOKINGS: WATFORD; none. CHARLTON ATHLETIC; none.
REFEREE: D McDermid.
ATTENDANCE: 2,097 (293 Charlton)
