There was a carnival atmosphere with an excitable home crowd at Bovingdon FC for Watford Ladies FC First Team’s Vitality Women’s FA Cup 2nd round qualifying match. But despite dominating, with the lion’s share of possession and chances, Watford were not able to capitalise. A late goal sealed the one-nil victory for the visitors Penn & Tylers Green who progress in the competition. Coach Jordan Williams said there were plenty of positives for his new team: “We played with heart and creativity, but it just wasn’t our day.”
Conversely, Watford U18 Warriors got their JPL league season off to a flying start, coming from behind twice as they beat Notts County 5-2 in a gripping encounter beneath the sunny Hertfordshire skies.
It was the visitors who started the stronger, taking the lead with a composed finish. But Watford quickly found their rhythm and Charlotte Forster calmly equalised after being put through by Katie Lemon. County hit back immediately to make it 2-1, but silky footwork and a wonderful solo goal from Safiya Dean brought the scores level again. Dean turned provider and Forster’s second made it 3-2 to the home team.
The second half was dominated by Watford as Dean scored her second. The player of the match sealed the points with a well-earned hat trick, following a great run and cross from Maria Fernanda Toledo. It was a fine performance from a team playing only their second competitive game together.
The U15 Warriors also won their opening JPL league match with a convincing 5-2 victory against the London Football Talent Centre, with five different goal scorers. Ella Weaver opened the account after being played in by Cassidy Davies. LFTC equalised soon after, only for Watford to respond with two fine strikes from captain Amy Moynihan and Marcia Itani, both again assisted by Davies.
After the break, Chloe Bright made it 4-1 with a wonder goal assisted by Weaver. The visitors were determined to stay in the game and pulled one back a minute later, however Olivia Henry put the game out of reach when she went on a surging run, playing a one-two with Eva Delaney and firing home.
The U12 Warriors provided the third home JPL success of the weekend, with an emphatic 14-0 thrashing of Ebbsfleet United.
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