AFTER a seemingly endless period without a league game, Watford Ladies welcomed Liverpool and it was the hosts who dictated the game from early on.

It took until just the third minute for Emma Thomas and O'Brien to combine and set Howell free on the right, her cross then being finished confidently by the onrushing O'Brien. This set the yellows on the front foot and they continued to apply pressure on the reds with their quick attacking style.

Watford went two up when the influential Ashlee Hincks found Helen Lander in the box. The prolific striker placed the ball with her left foot into the back of the net for the first of her hat-trick.

Just four minutes later, Watford forced several shots from inside the Liverpool box until the ball eventually fell to Lander again to strike from 15 yards out and make it 3-0 going into the break.

The second half was a much scrappier affair than the first and whilst Watford opened up several good chances, Liverpool were also dangerous at times - mostly when Parry was in possession.

It was the Hornets who made the breakthrough after only five minutes to put the game well and truly beyond the reach of the visitors. A beautifully weighted through ball from Thomas to Lander allowed the forward her opportunity to complete her hat-trick with another left footed finish.

Watford's Jo Rutherford

Despite some more excellent play in patches, Watford couldn't extend their lead any further, and Liverpool got a consolation goal 12 minutes from time from a free-kick.

It was Parry who hit a speculative shot from 30 yards, but the flight was misjudged by keeper Marie Hourihan as she went to tip it over. The game finished 4-1 to the hosts and saw them climb a few places back up the table.

Watford's first team coach Karl Lingham commented: "I'm really happy with both the performance and of course the result today and it is particularly pleasing as we had a back four who had never played together before as a unit.

"I was pleased to see Ashlee Hincks have a major influence on the game; she was involved in a lot of our best attacking movements but was also prepared to work hard defensively."

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