One of my aims at the start of the new FAWSL season was to watch all of the teams play from both leagues WSL 1 and the newly formed WSL 2. To that end I had watch 17 of the 18 teams that participate in the 2 leagues, there was only 1 team left to watch - Watford Ladies FC.
Although waking up to the weather we had this morning it didn't look good as to whether the fixture between Watford Ladies and their opponents Reading FC Women would be on. The rain had been falling heavily in the south and was travelling up the country. Watford Ladies though tweeted that they were confident their pitch at Berkhamsted Town FC would be ok to play on come 2pm.
I left Norfolk unsure and ready to turn around if things changed. Drove through the storm and out along the A428 to brighter sky's some blue mixed amongst the heavy grey clouds. Found the ground ok parking along side a picturesque canal. Watford Ladies were absolutely right the pitch upon 1st inspection looked great had drained well. Playing at Berkhamsted Town FC a compact ground there is one main grandstand running down one side of the pitch and covered areas behind both goals, and with the clouds looming it was no doubt going to be needed during the match.
The game on it was a clash between 3rd and 4th in FAWSL 2 with Watford Ladies having had a good run of late to move them up to 3rd place in the table on 14pts after 8 matches played. Reading FC Women were a point and a place behind on 13 after 7 matches played. With leaders Sunderland Ladies on 22pts at the start of play and 2nd placed Doncaster Rovers Belles moving onto 21pts after beating London Bees at the Keepmoat Stadium 7-0 last evening it was a vital game for both teams the 3pts needed to keep them in the hunt for the title.
Watford Ladies starting XI - Lauren Davey (C) Georgia Mays, Chloe Gunn, Renee Hector, Stacie Donnelly, Jo Wilson, Josie Green, Megan Wynne, Cally Rowell, Emma Beckett & Leighanne Robe.
Reading FC Women starting XI - Nicky Davies, Rebecca Jane, Molly Bartrip, Kirsty McGee (C), Lois Roche, Bonnie Horwood, Harriet Scott, Lauren Bruton, Georgie Giddings, Fran Kirby & Melissa Fletcher.
The teams were out on the pitch and that was the cue for the heavens to open and the rain to fall, heavily as the home side Watford in their yellow shirts and socks with black shorts got the game under way against Reading lined up in their white and blue hooped shirts blue shorts and white socks.
Fran Kirby back for Reading after her goal scoring debut for the England Women's side last weekend against Sweden was soon on the attack with the ball at her feet putting in a good cross from the left channel, Watford's defence rising high to clear the danger at the far post. Thunder and lightening now the rain is even heavier the conditions leading to a nervy opening with the ball not being retained by either team for long.
With the horrible conditions Watford have the opportunity to put a free kick into the box, the ball is dealt with well by the Reading defence. Both playing with one up top the midfield is crowded with no player finding an outlet on the flank to play the ball to.
Fran Kirby picks the ball up in the middle of the park has a run forwards central she jinks left, then right and unleashes a strike from 25 yards out angling for the top left corner Watford goalkeeper Lauren Davey's dive is in vain as the ball goes past her, a wonderful strike and solo effort from Kirby 0-1 Reading.
Watford are struggling to get the ball into their attackers and make it stick are getting some joy down the left win a corner, the set piece is at a good height Reading keeper Nicky Davies calls and claims the ball well. Set pieces are racking up for the home side win another on the left outside the box. The ball is smashed into the two player wall Molly Bartrip felt that one was a powerful strike.
Watford make an early change Georgia Mays injured comes off to be replaced by Hollie Wride. The rain has finally stopped and the pitch is even bathed in bright sunshine. Both sides have corners that both defences deal with well, one Watford corner played in landing on the roof of the net.
Watford have a chance from a ball played over the top from Megan Wynne, striker Jo Wilson is on it poised to strike the ball as she enters the box, Davies is off her line quickly though to smother the danger.
Bonnie Horwood holds the ball up well in the centre plays it out wide left for Fran Kirby to chase the pass looks heavy but the pacy Kirby keeps it in has a run into the box is tackled the ball going out for a corner.
Emma Beckett plays a good long range pass out to the right for Cally Rowell, she gets the ball into the box Reading though have numbers back to defend. Wide right is where Watford have been finding the most space with Rowell having the ball and looking to play it into the box.
Rebecca Jane for Reading makes a good run down the left puts a good ball in across the Watford goal, team mate Melissa Fletcher with the chance sends her header wide at the far post.
Fletcher has another chance but again the effort is wide of goal after good build up play down the right between Bruton and Kirby.
Half-time Watford Ladies 0-1 Reading FC Women
Was a tight and nervy 1st half with Fran Kirby's moment of magic being the difference between the two sides. Clear cut chances were few with neither keeper overly tested and Watford would need to do something about that if they wanted to get back into the match.
The visitors kick off the 2nd half have made a change at the break bring on Eloise Wilson for Harriet Scott. Reading are on the attack right away the ball is fed into Melissa Fletcher inside the 18 yard box she turns and shoots the ball is deflected wide by a Watford defender for a corner kick.
Reading are retaining the ball well pinning Watford back in their half, midfielder Georgie Giddings relieving the presssure somewhat with a sliced shoot from 20 yards out that goes well wide of goal.
Not for long though as Reading are back on the attack Lauren Bruton bursts into the box with the ball at her feet shifts it to have a shot from the corner of the six yard box a sliding tackle comes in from Chloe Gunn she is brought down. The referee waves the penalty appeals away looked a good shout but play continues.
Fletcher beats the offside trap this time the Reading forward looking to have a run at goal, Watford defender Renee Hector is back with a great covering tackle to prevent the goal scoring chance.
Watford make their 2nd change bringing on Kim Farrow for Jo Wilson up front. Does little to stem the Reading attacks this time it's Kirby the provider playing Bonnie Horwood in the midfielder finding herself inside the box has Davey charging towards her tries to stab the ball past the goalkeeper but Davey makes a good save with her legs.
Moments later Davey is called into action again a shot from distance from Rebecca Jane the ball is dipping going under the bar Davey tips the ball over for a corner.
Watford win a corner the delivery is good 2 Watford players rise to meet the ball it is sent wide at the near post. Having rode out the period of pressure Reading exerted at the start of the half as they looked to extend their lead Watford enjoy a spell of sustained possession.
Reading make a double change, taking off Lois Roche and Melissa Fletcher, for Leigh Nicol and Rebekah Haines. The subs combine instantly with Nicol winning the ball and playing it through to Haines in the right channel, puts in a great cross on the by line Bruton is running onto it but under Watford pressure puts her shot wide took a nick a corner is given. Davey does well to punch the ball away before a Reading head can make contact with the ball.
Kirby has the ball running towards the Watford goal defender Leighanne Robe does well forcing her wide the cross coming in across the goal line is cleared.
The 2nd goal isn't long in coming however Lauren Bruton wins the ball in the middle and plays in Kirby this time she is one on one with Davey the keeper coming out to try and put her off, Kirby waits till she commits going to ground Kirby sends it past her and into the back of the net 0-2.
Watford's best chances have come from set pieces Emma Beckett delivers a great ball towards the far post Davies tries to claim but the ball strikes the bar drops back down into the six yard box a scramble ensues before the referee stops play to treat an injured player.
Kirby almost has her hat-trick as she is inside the box with the ball at her feet again Robe pushes her wide but this time she gets her shot away from an acute angle the effort going across the goal and wide.
Watford make their final change bring on striker Magda Mosengo for Stacie Donnelly. Isn't long before the no 20 has a go for goal an effort from 20 yards Nicky Davies though is behind it all the way.
Reading have a 3rd goal from a Watford error a too short back pass that Lauren Bruton is alert to and chasing down plays the ball against the advancing Davey it is deflected wide, Davey back pedals as Bruton latches onto the ball shoots sending it under the keeper to make it 0-3.
Into the closing minute Watford searching for a goal have another corner this time Hector up form the back gets her head to the ball the attempt goes wide.
Down the other end good play down their right sees Georgie Giddings with a chance to have a strike on goal but fires the shot wide.
Into injury time and Kirby get's her hat-trick again good individual play as she steals the ball of a Watford defender and races towards goal from the left shoots from inside the box sending the ball into the corner of the net to make the scoreline 0-4.
The last chance of the game goes to the home side Watford's Mosengo with another blast from 20 yards has venom and swerving it angles away from goal narrowly wide.
Full time Watford Ladies 0-4 Reading FC Women
The result sees Reading climb above Watford in the table onto 16pts, 5 behind Doncaster Rovers Belles and some 9pts back from leaders Sunderland Ladies as they extended their lead at the top with a 4-0 home win over Millwall Lionesses. A lot to do if Reading hope to challenge for the title however they will have a say yet as both 1st and 2nd placed teams have to visit them yet this season.
A disppointing performance for Watford competed well with Reading 1st half but struggled to deal with their movement 2nd half.
In todays other FAWSL 2 matches Yeovil Town Ladies beat Durham Women 3-1 and Aston Villa Ladies secured a 2-1 home win over Oxford United Women.
A fan of the sport doing my small part to help promote the women's game
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