It was a disappointing afternoon for the Golden Girls on Sunday, exiting the Vitality Women’s FA Cup with a 4-0 loss at home to Coventry United.

There was only a single goal separating the sides at the break, with Katie Wilkinson’s penalty having given the away side the lead.

United would add three further goals in the second 45 and were fully deserving of their win. Wilkinson doubled her tally, while Katy Morris and Rio Hardy also got on the scoresheet.

There was no doubting the biggest news in the Watford starting line-up, Sarah Wiltshire making her first appearance of the season and featuring for the Hornets five weeks after the birth of her son.

Clinton Lancaster made three more changes to the team that previously faced Bristol City, as Anaisa Harney, Francesca Ali and Ronnell Humes all featured from the beginning.

It was a competitive opening to the game as both teams looked to stamp their authority, the only real chance seeing the away side have the ball in the net, however the flag was raised.

They would have a great opportunity to take the lead though when Olivia Fergusson was taken down in the penalty box. Wilkinson stepped up to take it and fired an effort into the bottom left corner.

One of Watford’s best chances came just after the half-hour mark. Megan Chandler got plenty on her strike, but her close-range effort was superbly denied by Lucy Thomas in the opposition goal.

There was a slight opening for the dream return, as Wiltshire turned and got a shot away, however it was cleared by an opposition defender with the keeper out of her net.

The Welsh international certainly looked lively in her appearance, which will no doubt be a huge boost to players and staff alike.

It almost ended up being 2-0 just before the interval. Fergusson’s attempt had plenty on it and went narrowly wide of the post.

Just like in the previous fixture against Coventry, Anne Meiwald wore the armband, and she led by example, with some great defensive work to get across and block Hardy’s effort.

Watford couldn’t prevent them from finally doubling their advantage though, as Morris beat Georgie Ferguson and put her side in a strong position.

Any potential comeback was soon unlikely, as the visitors added a third shortly after the hour mark. Wilkinson’s chip was deftly executed and saw her net a second of the game.

With the match in the final 10 minutes, United made it 4-0. The original attempt looked goalbound but after it didn’t get through, Hardy was there to do the rest and put the match beyond all doubt.

Having been introduced from the bench, Summer Roberts looked to get a consolation for Watford, however couldn’t find the target with her strike from distance.

Ultimately, this was very much a game the Golden Girls will want to move on from. Lancaster’s side will host Charlton Athletic in the FA Women's Continental Tyres League Cup in midweek, before the perfect opportunity to bounce back from this disappointment, with a trip to Coventry in the Championship.