Womens' Football: Watford's revenge is sweet

10:30am Friday 21st December 2001

WATFORD LADIES go into the Christmas break in second place following a stunning 4-0 win over Stowmarket.

The Hornets had gone down 2-1 against their opponents earlier in the season, despite enjoying the majority of play, and were determined to get their revenge.

Watford dominated the game from start to finish, and, as usual, their defence was strong and capably handled any Stowmarket danger.

McKenna opened the scoring with a well driven left-foot shot, and early in the second half Lander made it 2-0.

This was followed by a third from Small, and supersub O'Keefe came on to complete the scoring.

In freezing temperatures, Watford and Cambridge Ladies under 15s squared up to battle for league leadership, and it was the visitors who will be sitting pretty at the top of the division going into the New Year.

Away side Watford started slowly and had some anxious moments as Cambridge probed for an early score. However, the speed and tenacity of Alicia Fischer and, in particular, Emma Freeman kept them at bay.

In the tenth minute Watford took the lead, as Wiz Hunt fed Kelly Randall, who sprinted through to confidently drive the ball into the net.

There was no further score in the first half, although it was not for want of trying on the part of the visitors, who continued to press.

Watford's Amy Holliman made two crucial and outstanding saves when one on-one with a Cambridge striker, and Watford forwards Randall and Adora Yau, who was excellent throughout, combined well to hit the bar and post.

The second half started at a gallop and the next goal could have come from either side.

However, it was Hunt, again, who put through a team-mate, this time Gemma Davison, to run on and squeeze the ball under the keeper's body.

Cambridge redoubled their efforts and had their best spell as they piled players forward.

They did manage to unsettle the Watford defence, but Charlene Turturici, Lizzie Seargeant and Katie Dodwell shone as they managed to protect the lead with some solid, though sometimes desperate defending.

Just as the Cambridge pressure reached a peak, Watford broke away, and Hunt capped a five-star performance with a wonderful goal, which she struck left-footed from outside the area and into the far corner.

Cambridge were broken but gamely continued to come forward, only to be picked off again, as first Davison crowned another good performance with a solo run and shot, and then playmaker Turturici, who also had her usual superb game, wrapped things up with a fine, fierce shot.