Defeat to bottom side Lewes made it four straight losses for Watford Women who now only stay off the bottom of the Championship table on goal difference.
And, once again, their undoing came from their inability to deal with balls into the box as the visitors – who had only scored one league goal this season before today – went ahead early on when Watford didn’t deal with a cross and then won it late on with a header from a corner that was really all too simple.
The Golden Girls could easily have won the game and should have gone home with a point, hitting the woodwork twice and seeing goalscorer Bianca Baptiste miss the target with an 89th-minute free header.
- Ismael says no deals were done behind his back
- Life without Pedro and Sarr means no hiding place
- Unlimited WFC story access, less ads, faster site – for 3p a day!
However, their failure to turn long spells of possession during the second half into chances was particularly disappointing and always meant the door was ajar for Lewes to punish them.
In fact there was almost an air of inevitability when the visitors did get the winner, and particularly the manner in which it was scored.
Until Watford find a way of dealing with crosses and set pieces, opponents are going to play on that obvious Achilles’ heel and get the ball in the mixer at every opportunity.
Damon Lathrope’s side also have to quickly start delivering more end product. The way they move the ball around, patiently build from the back and look to play through the thirds is good to watch, but continually flounders due to their failure to be more effective in the final third.
Losing to the bottom side in the league should provide a wake-up call, if one were needed, that staying in the Championship this season was never going to be a stroll in the park.
They have the players, they have the style of play and they have the determination. Currently, though, the sum of the parts is not adding up to enough.
