FAWNL League Cup
Team: Clarke, Sampson, Brooks, Gotch, Searle, Hill, Owen, Mehmet, Orchard, Stanley, Dzyadyk
Subs: Blodgett, Wellesley-Davies, Ali, Makowska, D’Santos, Adebowale-Arimoro, Leach
Watford came into this Cup tie unbeaten in the National League Southern Premier Division, which is one level higher than their opponents.
The Hornets took the lead on 72 seconds when Ava Kuyken’s low strike found the back of the net.
At the other end, Annie Dzyadyk’s angled shot after seven minutes ended up just wide of the target.
The visitors doubled their lead a couple of minutes later. Freda Ayisi’s (No.99), initial attempt was well-saved by Kenny Clarke, but the ball then fell to Madison Perry to finish.
As the rain began to ease off, Isabella Fisher’s 20-yard strike forced a flying save from the R’s keeper.
Watford went further ahead in the 23rd minute, when Freda Ayisi set-up Isabella Fisher, who then moved inside before shooting past Kenny Clarke.
Five minutes or so later, Kenny Clarke made a superb point-blank save from the Hornets captain, Isabella Fisher. This was followed a minute later by a break for drinks.
It became four after 32 minutes when Isabella Fisher planted the ball into an empty net.
Billie Brooks was forced off on 40-minutes after blocking a fierce strike at goal, Lily Wellesley-Davies came on to replace her.
The visitors went even further ahead two minutes later when Lachante Paul’s shot took a very unlucky deflection from Jaime Gotch as it entered the net.
The half-time whistle came after four added minutes with the Hornets 5-0 up.
Two changes were made after the interval when Fran Ali and Meila D’Santos were introduced at the expense of Fern Orchard and Izzy Owen respectively.
Annie Dzyadyk pulled the trigger from around 25-yards, and the ball narrowly cleared the crossbar.
Then, Grace Stanley’s widish attempt ended up going behind for a goal-kick after a ricochet.
But despite the hosts making an assertive start to the second-half, substitute Andria Georgiou made it 6-0 on 68 minutes after the R’s had failed to clear the ball.
Rangers continued to strive to pull a goal back and after receiving a great pass, Annie Dzyadyk saw her shot blocked. The ball then went behind for a corner.
After the R’s No.7’s initial attempt, the ball came back to Grace Stanley who, with Rebekah Dowsett off her line, watched her follow-up chip go just over the crossbar.
This was followed by Annie Dzyadyk making way for Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro.
Kenny Clarke required some treatment after going down to grab the ball, but she was soon able to continue.
The final change was made on 82 minutes, when Jo Blodgett came on for Melis Mehmet.
Excellent defending from Jo Blodgett saw the R’s substitute, with two opponents around her, swivel twice before moving the ball away.
Juliet Adebowale-Arimoro was shown a yellow card in the closing stages.
The following week, Danny Harrigan’s side travelled to Dartford for an FA Cup tie.
Steve Russell