Helen Ward bagged four goals alongside a first-half Annie Rossiter strike to complete a convincing 5-1 win over Bridgwater United at Vicarage Road.

The skipper struck from the spot after Rossiter’s opener to take the score to 2-0 at half-time before netting a further three from open play in the second 45, with Beth Everson reducing the deficit with a goal for the visitors late on.

Victory provides further momentum for the Golden Girls ahead of a top-of-the-table clash with Oxford United at Grosvenor Vale on Wednesday night (April 12, 7.45pm KO).

Buoyed by 1,127 supporters at a sunny Vicarage Road, the Hornets set a fast tempo, mainly focused on the right flank via Bianca Baptiste. The forward linked up effectively with midfielder Dré Georgiou and fashioned crosses that troubled the Robins’ backline, with Rossiter and Ward both having early attempts at Connie Kleckzkowski’s goal.

Versatile playmaker Rossiter grabbed the first of five half-an-hour into the game, slamming home from close range to send the Sir Elton John Stand into jubilant celebrations.

A penalty was awarded six minutes later for a foul on Poppy Wilson by Kleckzkowski in the congested Bridgwater box, and Ward dispatched from 12 yards, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to double the lead.

Four substitutions in quick succession allowed Ellie Head, Emily Wallace and Faye Brough to enter the fray, as well as a debut for 17-year-old Araya Dennis, who joined the club on a dual-sign agreement from Arsenal.

Dennis drifted to the right side and displayed her technical ability and speed with the ball, supplying Wilson with an opportunity, but the midfielder was unable to keep her shot on target.

Fellow Arsenal loanee Head was on the opposite wing and made a powerful run towards the Rookery End before playing in Ward, who volleyed in her second of the afternoon.

Three goals in second-half added time made it a chaotic end to the action, with Everson pulling one back first for the visitors to deny a clean sheet for Jacqui Goldsmid and the Watford backline.

Ward struck two in the space of a minute for her third and fourth of the afternoon to add gloss to the scoreline at the death, meeting Dennis’ cross to complete her hat-trick and popping up to turn home a deflected strike from Brough to cap off the game.

Back at Grosvenor Vale in midweek, Damon Lathrope’s side quickly turn their attention to a meeting with Oxford on Wednesday.