Perhaps friendly match does not translate too well in German. That is certainly not what Watford played at SC Paderborn 07. The game was as competitive as it gets without points being on the line.

There were strong challenges. Two yellow cards. Several stern talking-tos. And, most important, two Watford goals.

If Quique Sanchez Flores had any doubts after taking the decision to cancel Friday’s friendly at Eintracht Braunschweig in order to train, then the Hornets’ performance this afternoon is likely to have removed them.

Watford looked fit, sharp and organised. They kept possession well and moved the ball at a swift tempo. It was an impressive display, particularly in the first half.

The Hornets lined up in a 4-1-3-2 system. Giederius Arlauskis was handed his first start in goal behind a back four of Allan Nyom, Sebastian Prodl, Craig Cathcart and Jose Holebas.

Etienne Capoue sat in front of the Hornets defence with Almen Abdi, Valon Behrami and Ben Watson behind strikers Matej Vydra and Troy Deeney.

Paderborn begin their 2.Bundesliga campaign next weekend but it was Watford who looked ready for competitive action.

They were brighter from kick off and, in the 11th minute, the Hornets broke the deadlock. Deeney received the ball 25 yards out and wasn’t closed down.

The Watford captain slid an excellent pass through the middle of the hosts defence and Vydra had room to sweep his shot past Lukas Kruse.

It was a very well-worked goal. However, Paderborn created an immediate chance to level. A deep cross found Idir Oualli unmarked at the back post but the midfielder could only direct his volley into the ground and over the crossbar.

Arlauskis’ first action in a Watford shirt saw him make a smart save to deny Marcel Ndjeng. The Lithuanian stopper looked very composed during his 78 minutes of action.

The same can’t be said to Behrami. The destructive midfielder thundered into an early challenge and, when he went in late again midway through the first half, was booked. It is likely to be the first of many yellow cards the Swiss international amounts this season.

Deeney then came close for the visitors as he headed a deft Capoue pass towards the corner. Kruse reacted quickly to push the ball wide.

Former Hull City striker Nick Proschwitz did have the ball in the net for the hosts but the linesman ruled he was offside in the build-up and his header was ruled out.

Deeney and Kruse reignited their battle when the Watford striker floored the Paderborn goalkeeper. It was a fair challenge and Deeney played on. He could only direct his shot wide from a tight angle wide, however.

Abdi followed his Swiss colleague into the referee’s notebook soon after before Nyom and Deeney exchanged heated words with Marvin Bakalorz.

The half time whistle gave both sets of players the chance to simmer down. The second period was certainly less feisty than the 45 minutes that had preceded it.

The obligatory half-time substitutions during an early pre-season friendly did not take place. Perhaps an indicator that for Flores this was more than just a fitness exercise.

Paderborn offered more of an attacking threat in the second period and Prodl had to be alert to clear a dangerous cross off his own goal line.

Arlauskis was alert to palm wide a free kick from Mahir Sağlık before Odion Ighalo, Ikechi Anya and Daniel Pudil were introduced in place of Vydra, Behrami and Holebas.

It did not take long for Anya and Ighalo to make an impact. A sweeping pass from Prodl allowed the Scottish winger the opportunity to race behind the hosts defence.

His cut-back didn’t find Deeney but the ball dropped perfectly, as it always seems to, for Ighalo to steer a finish into the corner.

The regular changes from both sets of sides took the competitive edge off the game and Paderborn looked more likely to add to the goals in the closing stages.

Moritz Stoppelkamp seemed likely to threaten after storming his way in the Watford penalty area. The dive that followed didn’t con the referee.

Proschwitz then rattled the post with a powerful shot from distance but that was as close as the home side came to finding a goal.

The small cluster of Watford fans in the ground remained well after full time. They certainly enjoyed the contest and even a late downpour didn’t dampen their spirits.

The Hornets squad were heading straight from the stadium to a waiting flight. They will be back in England by late evening. Flores will no doubt have plenty to ponder on the plane home but he will be pleased.

SC Paderborn 07: Kruse; Brückner (Hartherz 68), Hoheneder, Hünemeier, Heinloth (Narey 68); Bakalorz (Schonlau 64), Ndjeng; Ouali (Stoppelkamp 64), Saglik (Brasnic 68), Koc (Vucinovic64); Proschwitz.

Paderborn substitutes: Fernandes, Nubel, Lopez, Bertels, Ruck, Pepic, Malle.

Watford line-up: Arlauskis (Gilmartin 78), Nyom, Cathcart, Prodl, Holebas (Pudil 56); Capoue; Behrami (Anya 56) Watson (Murray 87), Abdi (Dyer 81); Vydra (Ighalo 56), Deeney (Fabbrini 73).

Watford substitutes: Gomes, Angella, Pudil, Hoban, Belkalem, Byers, Lewis, Jakubiak.

Attendance: 3,157.

The Watford Observer's trip to Germany has been kindly sponsored by DAS Heating, Bathrooms & Lighting Supplies Ltd. Visit www.dasheating.co.uk/shop/ for more information.