FA Women’s National League: Crawley Wasps 0-4 Watford
Alli Palisch and Poppy Wilson scored their first goals for Watford, helping the Golden Girls to a 4-0 victory over Crawley Wasps at the Camping World Community Stadium.
Gemma Davison and Ellie Head scored in the second half to round up the night in Horsham, putting Damon Lathrope’s team atop the FA Women’s National League Premier Division South.
Annie Rossiter set the tone early on with a well-timed move behind the Wasps defence and lofted the ball over former Hornets goalkeeper Chrissie Wiggins, but the ball rolled just past of the far post.
It didn’t take long for Watford’s pressure to pay off, however. Flo Fyfe’s pass across goal was cleared as far as Palisch, and the holding midfielder needed no controlling touch before converting from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Crawley’s chances on the break were expertly controlled by Georgie Ferguson and the visitors’ backline as they sat back and soaked up the pressure. Meanwhile, Nicola Gibson and Fyfe attempted to extend the lead, but their efforts failed to put Wiggins to the test.
📱 As part of our player takeover on Instagram, @TweetBianca caught up with @flofyfe after our 4-0 win over Crawley Wasps! pic.twitter.com/d0b6mKmz5z
— Watford FC Women (@WatfordFCWomen) October 11, 2022
The Golden Girls appeared to be heading into halftime with a slim advantage until Fyfe made a classic move down the right wing, patiently waiting for an opportunity while two defenders jockeyed. Wilson jumped into action after lofting a pass into a dangerous area and connected nicely with the cross, looping over and into the net with one of the final touches of the half.
Three substitutions around the hour mark boosted Watford’s assault, but it was starter Wilson who came closest to adding a third, struggling to regain possession before being fouled just outside the area.
Davison stepped up to an enviable position and expertly slotted the set-piece to add to the tally, with a fourth goal on the way four minutes later.
Rossiter pressed strongly in defence, forcing a mishandled ball that Head capitalised on, taking a single touch before calmly slotting in her third goal of the season.
Two goals in each half take us to the top of the table! 👊#WatfordFC pic.twitter.com/BHvTVlYXiH
— Watford FC Women (@WatfordFCWomen) October 11, 2022
Ferguson continued to repel offensive threats at the other end, but it was Emily Wallace who rescued the clean sheet in the end, reacting swiftly to a ball across goal and clearing in the fourth minute of extra time.
🗣️ “I love being out there, and it's even more special when you put one away for the team, there's no better feeling.”
Goalscorer Palisch looks back on three well-earned points at Crawley Wasps. ➕3⃣ pic.twitter.com/LFrYgfE4SP
— Watford FC Women (@WatfordFCWomen) October 12, 2022
Watford now leads Oxford United by one point, with a week and a half to go until the next encounter, a short trip to London Bees on October 23.
Watford Starting XI: Ferguson (GK), Gibson, Meiwald, Rossiter (Fatuga-Dada 74’), Davison, Georgiou (Head 61’), Chandler (C) (Wallace 61’), Wilson (Ali 70’), Palisch, Fyfe (Mehmet 61’), Garrad (Wallace 58’)
Goals: Palisch (14’), Wilson (45+2’), Davison (64’), Head (68’)
