A spirited second-half performance from the Golden Girls wasn’t quite enough, as Liverpool narrowly prevailed 3-2 at Vicarage Road.

It was a difficult opening 45 for Watford, as the visitors went into the interval three goals to the good through strikes from Missy-Bo Kearns and a brace from Rianna Dean.

The Hornets made tactical adjustments after the break and it was a much-improved display. A fine strike from Anne Meiwald gave hope, and a frantic finish was set-up after Helen Ward’s header, but Liverpool held on for the three points.

Head Coach Clinton Lancaster made a couple of changes to the starting 11 that had faced Durham last weekend.

Corinne Henson came into the side after impressing in the North East, while Georgia Clifford made her debut for the club.

Georgie Ferguson looked sharp in goal on her debut last weekend, and she continued where she left off early on. She made herself big to deny Ceri Holland and then did even better to superbly stop Melissa Lawley on the follow up.

Liverpool would take the lead shortly after though as Kearns’ corner delivery caused problems and in a crowded area, found a way in.

The Golden Girls looked to respond, and some good play ended with Ward having a shot well blocked by the opposition defence.

As the half-hour mark approached, the visitors threatened a second. Holland had a couple of attempts in quick succession, with Ferguson holding the one that was on target.

The pressure told again though, as Liverpool doubled their advantage, Dean’s shot from the edge of the box finding the corner and leaving the Watford keeper with no chance.

A potential comeback became even harder when Dean added her second, making it 3-0 with another strike that found the corner.

There were encouraging signs towards the end of the half though, as Flo Fyfe had a shot blocked and then drifted one narrowly wide of the right-hand post.

A double substitution had been made at the break, including Jenna Legg coming on for her debut, adding fresh impetus into the side.

Early on in the second 45, Watford had their best chance of the match. Rosie Kmita did excellently to find space inside and she forced Rylee Foster into a fine save.

The visitors were still looking threatening though and Dean almost got her hat-trick, heading over from a Leanne Kiernan cross.

A tactical switch around the hour-mark saw the Hornets switch to a back three, as Lancaster’s side looked to chase the game.

They finally found that glimmer of hope with a little over 10 minutes to go. Meiwald drove forward and brilliantly rifled a strike past the helpless Foster.

Ylenia Priest was causing havoc at set-pieces again and she forced the opposition keeper into a save as Watford looked for a second.

The deficit was reduced to one with at least four minutes of stoppage time remaining. Kmita did well down the left-hand side and Ward was there to head home and make it 3-2.

It set up a thrilling finale, but the away side professionally saw the game out and held on for the three points.

While it wasn’t the result that was wanted, the second-half performance in front of a noisy crowd at Vicarage Road will give belief going into next weekend’s game away at Blackburn Rovers.