In a match that saw 5 goals in the first 45 minutes, Aston Villa stormed to victory against Watford in front of a record-breaking 1,102-strong crowd.
It took just 7 minutes for the hosts to go in front courtesy of skipper Megan Wynne who tapped home a Hollie Wride corner. But the loss of holding midfielder Chloe Gunn to injury proved influential and Villa soon equalised, before a spell of three goals in eight minutes turned the tie on its head.
The emphatic victory was Villa’s first league victory of the season.
After going behind to Wynne’s opener, Kerri Welsh levelled for the Villians heading home Alicia Robinson’s lofted free-kick.
Robinson then grabbed one of her own and did so in spectacular fashion.
A half-hearted clearance from Watford landed at the feet of Robinson, who hit an unstoppable effort 25 yards out which curled in to the top corner.
Olivia Fergusson soon went close to making it three, rounding the keeper before Wride cleared off the line for Watford.
The Fergusson chance clearly unnerved Shayla Burgess in the Hornet’s net, as the next time the Villa forward was through on goal she was brought down by Burgess, leaving the referee no choice but to award the penalty.
Katie Wilkinson stepped up to slot home the spot kick – her second in as many matches.
Villa continued to press at every opportunity and the impressive Robinson capitalised on a rare Renee Hector error to make it 4-1 to the visitors in the perfect finish to a memorable first half.
The second half was much of the same, with Watford goalkeeper Burgess saving her side from further embarrassment with numerous stops, including one from a Fergusson header at point-blank range.
Villa had several chances but were unable to extend their lead and whenever Watford did find themselves in their oppositions half, the Villians were able to stand firm and see the game out.
Despite the outcome, Watford boss John Salomon was quick to refocus attention on the incredible support his side received, saying after the game: “ This was a big occasion for us to promote women’s football, to put it on the map in Hertfordshire. We’re really grateful to the football club for allowing us to play the fixture here (Vicarage Road) and to put Watford Ladies on the map a little bit more because we’ve been gradually building it up through the last three of four seasons.
“It’s a shame we didn’t get the win but the big picture is it’s a really positive day for the football club. There was always a long-term strategy to today’s event, never mind so much the game, and obviously it’s a positive to have so many people here and to have such great support for the women’s team.”
Asked about the size of the crowd, Salomon responded: “I think it’s one of the highest attendances for Super League 2, but it’s certainly our highest crowd.”
Commenting on his team’s performance, Salomon told the Watford Observer: Looking at today’s game on its own, the result is obviously disappointing. I thought we started the game well and losing Chloe Gunn early on was a big loss. She’s a big player in our midfield. I think it showed. It affected us in the short period until we sorted the midfield out.
“I thought in the second half we came out stronger. We were better, more resilient, worked a lot harder and we started to make better decisions on the ball.”
Watford travel to Reading in their next game on the 2 April.
