Watford Women (6) – QPR FC Women (1) 

FAWNL League Cup Second Round 

Team: Baravik, Hennessy, Cooper, Searle, Blodgett, Lewin, Brooks, Ward-Chambers, Stanley, Kennedy, Dzyadyk 

Subs: Petit, McCrea, Hoile, D’Santos, Sampson 

Rangers faced a very strong Watford side at the Grosvenor Vale Stadium. 

The Hornets took the lead after seven minutes when a cross from the right was tapped home by Sophie McLean. 

And four minutes later, the Watford No.9’s low cross whizzed just past the far-post. 

Rangers had a good opportunity of their own a few minutes later, after Grace Stanley was put through, and with the Watford keeper advancing, the R’s striker shot just wide of the target. 

Seventeen minutes in, and the home side doubled their lead when Megan Chandler headed in from a corner. 

QPR pulled a goal back a minute or so later after the hosts had given the ball away directly to Courtnay Ward-Chambers, who then proceeded to place her shot wide of Jacqui Goldsmid. 

Around the half-hour mark, and with one of the Watford players down receiving some attention, both sides took a drinks break. 

The Hornets went further ahead five or so minutes later from a corner. Annie Rossiter squared the ball to the edge of the box, where Florence Fyfe was on hand to shoot into the top corner. 

At the other end, a good pass found Annie Dzyadyk, who then fired the ball just wide of the target. 

Two minutes later, the away side had another opportunity following a good passing move. This resulted in Grace Stanley’s shot just clearing the crossbar. 

Just before a couple of minutes were added, Annie Dzyadyk, turned, and pulled the trigger, but the Watford keeper managed to successfully grab the ball. Half-time: 1-3. 

Five minutes after the break, the Hornets No.8’s low strike from a widish position, flashed just wide of the far-post. 

Danny Harrigan made three changes on 56 minutes, which saw the introduction of Paige Hoile, Meila D’Santos and Chloe Sampson at the expense of Annie Dzyadyk, Stevie Kennedy and Courtnay Ward-Chambers respectively.  

After Ellie Searle had bombed down the wing, her cross resulted in the Watford keeper keeping the ball out with a two-footed save. 

The hosts increased their lead after 66 minutes. Looking suspiciously like offside, Clarabella Hall proceeded into the box before slotting the ball home. 

A fifth goal arrived in the 78th minute when Anna Filbey turned on the edge of the box and placed her shot into the bottom corner. 

The final two changes were then made. Renai McCrea and Kasha Petit replaced Ellie Searle and Laura Hennessy. 

The Hornets added a sixth goal in added time. Lily Whitelock squared the ball to Florence Fyfe, who then notched up her second goal of the afternoon. 

It was back to league action the following week, when Dulwich Hamlet were the visitors to the SkyEx Community Stadium. 

As for Watford, they were later drawn against Plymouth Argyle in the next round. 

Steve Russell 

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