Golden Girls buzzing after defeating the Bees for first home win

Sasha Adamson scored her second in two games, making an immediate impact by netting the winner only seconds after having come on as a substitute.

Bees keeper Sophie Harris was tested on a number of occasions in the second half as Watford deservedly took all three points.

The first effort on goal was from Watford after six minutes, Kim Farrow looked up and attempted to lob Harris, who tipped it out for a corner.

Lauren Davey made her first save shortly after, holding Rebecca Anderson’s effort from outside the area.

The same player went close a few minutes later, sending an effort narrowly off target after a quick short corner routine from the visitors.

Just before the half hour, Watford created their best opening of the half. A lovely through ball from Megan Wynne found Jo Wilson, her shot was blocked and fell to Kim Farrow who curled an effort just wide.

A poor back pass almost presented Wilson with an opportunity but that was it for a half where neither keeper was seriously tested.

The second half would prove to be much more open, with the Lady Hornets putting pressure on the opposition goal.

Watford nearly took the lead early on, Farrow crossed the ball in, Natkiel met it and her header was narrowly stopped from going over the line by Harris.

The Bees had their best opportunity on the hour mark, Amber Gaylor’s shot from the edge of the area was pushed away by Davey and the keeper recovered to then deny Sydney Hinchcliffe.

Sasha Adamson marked her debut with a goal last time out against Sunderland and she opened the scoring once again.

A Watford throw found its way to Adamson in the box, with a lot to do she brilliantly sent it over Harris and into the net, only seconds after coming on as a substitute.

It was almost two only a few minutes later, Renee Hector getting her head to Wynne’s cross but it was saved by Harris before being scrambled away by the Bees defence.

Watford were now well on top and regularly testing Harris in goal. Chloe Gunn was the next to be denied by the Bees goalkeeper, the defence again helping her out by making sure Farrow didn’t get to the rebound.

Adamson having picked up a knock, was replaced by Ellie Butterwick only 10 minutes after coming on – a short but sweet appearance.

Looking for a second goal, Josie Green did well to win the ball in midfield before playing it through to Natkiel who was the latest to be stopped by Harris.

Natkiel was causing problems for the Bees defence, she sent a pass across to Farrow who narrowly put her effort past the post.

Trying to find an equaliser, the visitors forced a number of corners in stoppage time. Despite an almighty scramble after one, Green did well to clear it to safety and a win a free-kick in the process.

The defence held firm in the closing stages, with Watford earning a deserved three points.

Manager John Salomon felt his players deserved the result: “It’s really good to get the win, the players deserve it so much because they’ve worked hard over the last few weeks.

“We’ve put some really good performances in during difficult circumstances. We’re still not at full fitness but we’re closer to it now and it showed with a solid performance, a clean sheet and a victory, which is great.”

Injury wforced Adamson off soon after her goal but Salomon was understandably delighted with the brief cameo: “It was about two seconds! The throw in was flicked onto her, she took a touch and put it away, it was a great finish.

“Just a shame she got a knock so had to come off, within the space of five minutes. She’s been on the pitch, had a couple of touches, scored a goal and then had to come off.

“It was another good impact from Sasha, having scored last week at Sunderland. She’s got another goal today and that’s the only two games she’s played at senior level.

“Sasha’s an exciting player for us and one we’re looking forward to working with as we move the club forwards.”

Adamson’s progression is yet another example of young players progressing from the youth system to the first team.

This is hugely important for Salomon: “It’s been key for us this season and it always has to be honest. Last time we played London Bees, nine of the 11 in the starting line-up had come through our own youth system.

“That’s a nice thing for us to have as a club because we know we have to develop our own players. We’ve got good coaches in the youth department who do a lot of work to bring the players through for us.

“It’s good to see those players coming through now and emerging as players that can play at first team level, which has been key to our season during the last two or three years.”

Having played six games in under a month, the Lady Hornets will now have a week off before taking on Oxford United at home in a fortnight’s time.

Salomon believes this will be a help rather than a hindrance: “We have got a free weekend, we kind of need that at the moment because we’ve got injuries in the squad.

“We’ve got a couple of reserve team games over those two weeks, one Thursday night and one next Sunday that we can utilise to get players a few minutes.

“It’s good for that, those individuals will get game time and the players will be ready and raring to go for the Oxford match.”