Watford secured their first win of the Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) season, the promoted side put out a statement performance at Vicarage Road to overcome Durham, who remained without a single point in the league.
The Golden Girls took control of the game through Phoebie Poole, whose curling effort from a corner in the first half gave the hosts the advantage. Vera Jones added a second after the break, opening the floodgates for the Hornets, with Aoibheann Clancy making it 3-0 in the 60th minute.
Watford found the net again four minutes later through Madison Perry, before Beth Hepple gave the visitors a consolation goal late in the half. The midfielder eventually found her footing to score again in added time to make it 4-2, but the hosts held on, managing a well rounded win.
The Hornets are ready for Durham test
Watford stuck with their same midfield that gave them their Subway Player’s Cup, lining up in a 3-4-1-2, with Clancy, Perry, Ellie Noble and Karin Muya, who impressed for the Hornets over the last few weeks.
While there was optimism that the team would capitalise on that victory following mixed results against Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the league, this fixture hoped to be the catalyst that could turn the game around as Watford continued to search for their first win.
Durham, having lost three of their last matches, including defeats to Newcastle and Sheffield United, arrived at Vicarage Road hoping to make more of an impact and be consistent in their performances and their results, the Wildcats looking to pick up their first league point.
The Opening 45
Durham began the half strongly, controlling possession well and driving up the pitch, several early opportunities going out of play.
The hosts counterattacked successfully and got into good positions but could not capitalise on their chances, while the Wildcats, continuing to press forward through Lauren Briggs and Lucy Watson, found themselves unable to be more clinical in front of goal.
Watford began to build momentum down the wing through Jones, who fed the ball in good areas while Muya looked sharp on the attack, going dangerously close with several attempts, including a corner that was collected by Durham.
The Wildcats continued to threaten, Grace Ede attempting to win the ball back, curling her effort inside the box to earn another corner, but the hosts defence held firm. Watford eventually found the net through Poole, who came close from a corner to give the hosts the lead.
Durham immediately responded with a good ball forward and a strong run by Watson but it was blocked by Watford. The Hornets soon pushed back, Noble getting into good spaces and closing in on goal while the opposition saw their attempt go wide.
Muya fought hard for the ball down the wing, winning a corner for Watford that caused some pinball action inside the box before going wide. Durham continued to show good ideas through Briggs and Watson, but lacked execution in front of goal, creating half chances.
Both teams looked for an advantage for the rest of the half, Watford going back on the attack and Durham chasing for an equaliser but could not convert, the hosts needing to apply more pressure in the final third.
Watson continued to impress for Durham, Jones crossing into the box for Watford but saw her shot saved by Catriona Sheppard as they managed to sniff out the danger and steal possession.
Halftime: Watford 1-0 Durham
Watford storm ahead to take the points
Watford were much more threatening after half time, getting into space and linking up well, Jones and Wilson coming close with attempts going wide. Durham counterattacked but saw their efforts come to nothing as the Golden Girls doubled their lead through Jones to make it 2-0.
It was much livelier from the two sides this half, players pushing forward and creating chances in front of goal, with a narrow opportunity for the Wildcats saved by Safia Middleton-Patel.
Watford pushed hard for a corner, with their reward coming in the 60th minute, when Clancy crossed for a long ball from the corner flag, before striking the net to make it 3-0. It was an uphill battle for Durham as they looked for an opener, their efforts wasted as Watford hit the net again through Clancy, further cementing their dominance in the match.
The Golden Girls were in cruise control the rest of the half, making light work of their efforts but could not be complacent as Durham were dangerous on the counter and attempted to spoil the party. However, Watford found their dominance slipping away as Hepple squeezed through the host’s defence in the 85th minute to earn the Wildcats' first goal.
Durham then pushed for a second goal, but Watford's defence held firm, but found themselves scrambling in the box as Hepple made it double for the Wildcats in added time. It was an eventual afternoon for a team that was consistent and dominant throughout the match from the first whistle.
Full time: Watford 4-2 Durham
Renee Hector post match thoughts after the Golden Girls first WSL2 win
Watford head coach Renee Hector discussed her side’s progress and building momentum throughout the match during the post match press conference.
Durham were dangerous in attack in the first half and threatened at times, with several close calls, with Aoibheann Clancy and Poppy Wilson pushing up the pitch and creating chances. What was missing from that to get that initial breakthrough?
“The first half was difficult for the team.
Durham surprised us; they were set up in a way we hadn’t seen before. We prepped for what we had seen in terms of their 4-3-3 or 3-5-2, but they set up in a 4-4-2 diamond with their full-back joining the top line. So in terms of our out-of-possession structure, the girls struggled a little bit to problem-solve in that moment.
We found out they had an overload on our backline, and our wingers were having to drop too deep to try and defend and make sure they picked up that overload. It was a difficult first half in terms of the structure. You try to get messages and solutions onto the pitch as best as you can, but it’s difficult when it’s noisy and you have to try and shout instructions.
What I am really happy about is that the girls weathered that storm, stood tall, and were really resilient in those moments. They went back to basics and protected their goal really well, so that’s something I’m really pleased about.
Obviously, real quality came from our application work, in terms of big tackles from Ellie Noble, where the ball fell to Maddie [Madison Perry], who was able to do what she did, cross it, and finish to Phoebie, who made it 1-0 with a very difficult finish.
That’s a good thing because it means we can learn from it and continue to be adaptable, but I think we’ve done a good job of weathering the storm and making sure we didn’t get punished in that difficult spell. We were able to go in at half-time, go through it in more detail, and the second half was obviously much, much better in terms of getting on the ball.”
And did any substitutions or changes throughout the match impact that in the second half?
“In terms of the structure, no. Obviously, we came out the same as we were in the first half. We were able to score a goal or two with the same sort of starting team, which was excellent because it felt like we were able to control the game more, with or without the ball.
Even if we didn't have the ball, I felt like the set-up and the structure in terms of our solutions to what we were facing was much better.
We were able to be closer, able to be tighter to their players, and if we were winning the ball, we were winning it higher up the pitch, which helped us sustain the attack, which was really important. And then, it was a good opportunity to get some good players on the pitch- with more players who are coming back from being out injured. It's important to try and get goals, but getting those players minutes as much as you can is key.
Hannah [Greenwood] herself got minutes today, so if we wanted to change things, we could make those moves. I felt like those players coming on impacted the game well, and the quality didn't drop.
Obviously, I'm disappointed about conceding two goals so late in the game, and I spoke to the team about making sure they stay motivated to protect their goal at all costs, regardless of what the score is. But it is difficult when you have to go down to ten players after all the substitutions we made, but overall we are in a good place.”