Franssi and Hughes Strike Early to Take Three Points from Watford

Watford search for a first win this season continued as the Golden Girls fell to a 2-1 home defeat against Sunderland AFC  at Vicarage Road in the Barclays WSL2. 

Sanni Franssi opened the scoring for the visitors early in the first half, with Elise Hughes adding a second shortly before the break. 

Vera Jones later pulled one back for the Hornets in the second half on her first start for the club, as the team then pushed for an equaliser. However, despite their efforts, the visitors held on, taking all three league points on the road.

Pre-Match Expectations

Raring to go after a goalless draw with Southampton in their last match, which left them second in the league table, Sunderland were looking to get back to winning ways, whereas a mixed run of results for the Golden Girls, including a draw with Nottingham Forest and a 5-1 defeat to Bristol City, had left the Hornets seventh and looking for answers. 

Sunderland also came into the fixture with a stronger record in previous meetings, having picked up more wins and scoring more goals against Watford.

Lining up in the same formation used in their Subway Women’s Players Cup defeat to Crystal Palace in midweek (a 3-5-2), Watford focused on their midfield, with Madison Perry, Poppy Wilson and Aoibheann Clancy, who all impressed in their last few matches as well as Tiana Teizer. 

The Lasses opted for a more attacking and forward approach with a 4-2-3-1 formation, having Franssi upfront with Elise Hughes and Kassandra Missipo, and Atlanta Primus forming the backline. 

Sunderland Start Strong

Watford began the half brightly, driving the ball forward and creating close chances, their first shot on target being from a corner via a lovely cross from Perry, who shot it over the net. 

Sunderland showed attacking threat and promise, controlling possession and getting into good areas, Tara Bourne impressing for the visitors with a low ball early on in the half, which gave the visitors a good confidence boost. 

The Lasses attempted to get another on the rebound, but it was defended well by Watford, with Wilson and Ellie Noble pushing further upstream for the Hornets.

Watford looked much more confident during the half, controlling possession, finding pockets of space and pushing further up the pitch.  Sunderland also came close on two occasions, with Jessica Brown delivering a cross that narrowly went wide. 

Both sides showed greater energy and intensity as the half progressed, with Sunderland hitting the post again with a powerful shot. 

Despite relentless attacking pressure, good movement and strong team chemistry, Sunderland struggled to get past Watford's solid defensive line, with Watford pushing more to find more chances. 

Franssi made it 1-0 to the visitors in the 18th minute when she struck the ball into the bottom left corner following a cross from Tess Laplacette, with Watford responding well shortly after with several chances, including a bright spark of magic by Wilson but was ruled out for offside. 

Teizer struck again but the ball was latched on by Fran Stenson, who had plenty to do this half. 

Sunderland quickly responded with chances of their own, successfully blocking Clancy’s header and Perry’s attempts as they claimed a second goal, with Hughes shooting from close range to make it 2-0.

Teiser came close to pulling one back with a one-on-one opportunity with Stenson but was unable to convert.  Sunderland continued to push for a third goal, while Watford looked to pile on the pressure and get further forward. 

Teiser found herself in promising positions again, but struggled to finish her chances, with Watford having the last shot on target before the break. 

Half time: Watford 0-2 Sunderland AFC

Jones Strikes but the Hosts Fall Short

Sunderland responded well after the break, with clean runs down the wing and making use of their space as they created the first shot of the half via a cross from their midfield. 

Karin Muya crossed brilliantly for Watford but was caught out by Sunderland, with the Lasses taking their chances, pushing further up the pitch and going toe to toe with Safia Middleton-Patel, though it was ruled out for offside. 

Watford responded with attempts of their own, with another shot, with the Golden Girls attacking well, controlling the ball and getting into good areas. 

Both teams were trying to get closer to gaining the advantage, with chances coming from both sides. Watford came close but were blocked, while Sunderland also got close with a brilliant strike from Missipo, but the flag stayed up.

The hosts eventually made it 2-1 in the 74th minute via a long shot by Vera Jones from a free kick after a foul, with the Golden Girls aiming to capitalise again shortly afterwards but could not find the finish. However, the Chelsea loanee secured an important goal on her first Watford start.

Sunderland appeared to score again but were ruled out for offside, with Watford also coming close on several occasions, with a late chance in added time, but could not find the equaliser. 

Full time: Watford 1-2 Sunderland AFC

Post-Match Reflections

Watford head coach Renée Hector spoke about the team’s progress during the match and what was missing to get the final push:

“I think we just gave ourselves too much to do, bringing together in terms of forward runs, desire and real flashes of some good stuff in the second half, but essentially going two goals down in the first half, we gave ourselves too much to do against a very good side.

I was really pleased with the reaction after half-time in terms of the way we tried to attack and the way that we attacked these players and the backline, getting lots of opportunities, but it’s really important that we do that consistently throughout the 90 minutes and stay concentrated off the ball to ensure that we’re obviously not conceding those earlier goals, which can make it really difficult.

But I feel like we’re so close to something special. We just need that bit of cutting edge and a bit of luck.”