WATFORD Ladies continue their solid start to the season with an impressive 6-2 victory over Premier League leaders Bristol Academy.

Despite going 1-0 down in the early stages Watford re-grouped rapidly to pull level again within two minutes. Emma Thomas' driving run from the right drew a free-kick just outside the box. Lisa Burrows stepped up and curled the ball directly into the roof of the net to settle nerves.

In the 16th minute Lander was released behind the defence only to be taken down just inside the right hand side of the area to win the hosts a penalty. Ashlee Hincks confidently dispatched the spot kick past the Bristol 'keeper to put Watford 2-1 ahead.

There followed a spree of three goals within 15 minutes for the Lady-Hornets starting with a great team goal which started from centre-back Daniels, and went through Thomas and Maggs to set the prolific Lander free for her first of the game. Goal number four also started from the centre-backs but this time through the outstanding Kemp who clipped a 40 yard ball over the defence straight into the path of Maggs who showed her quality by finishing calmly.

Watford had come to grips with the game and had all the momentum with them at this point and it was no surprise when the lively Hincks cut out a poor defensive pass on the edge of the Bristol box and lifted the ball neatly over the 'keeper to further increase the lead to 5-1 going into the break.

Bristol came out in the second half to try to reduce the gap as they pushed forwards and produced a period of pressure for the hosts. The Watford players were ready for the onslaught and weathered the storm valiantly, indeed, they nearly increased their lead when a great run from Emma Thomas was met by a pass from Maggs but Thomas had to see her shot go agonisingly past the far post.

Bristol continued to press and Watford 'keeper Hourihan was called upon a few times to snuff out potential scoring opportunities.

However, Watford showed their growing maturity by maintaining their composure and continued to force errors from the Bristol players. The final Watford goal came from some good defensive work by Maggs which retrieved the ball for Burrows who played a measured pass into the run of Lander. The striker adjusted her angle to wrong foot the 'keeper and slid the ball inside the far post to give the hosts a 6-1 lead with 15 minutes to go.

A late Bristol consolation goal couldn't dent what was a convincing home victory for the league newcomers.

Captain Ellen Maggs said: "That was probably our best performance so far because we were effective going forwards but also solid at the back. We often get one right without the other but today we showed that we can do both together. We got the result I think we deserved and it will help the squad grow in confidence as Bristol are a good side."

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