Report: Watford 0-1 AFC Wimbledon

Watford fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Women’s National League South.

A first-half header by Kau'inohea Solomon-Taylor was enough to secure the points for the visitors.

The Golden Girls went closest to an equaliser with three successive chances midway through the second half, but some resolute defending throughout from the away side condemned Watford to a third defeat of the season.

It was the visitors who had the better of the opening exchanges, with Maria O'Sullivan keeping out Emily Donovan's low shot before Ellie Dorey fired a driven cross wide at the near post.

Watford's first chance came after Lachante Paul's cross was deflected into Sophie McLean's path of the edge of the box, with the midfielder's shot forcing Rose Kite into a good, high save.

The Wimbledon keeper was then called into action once again soon after to hold onto Paul's effort after the forward was slipped in to the left of the box.

However, it was the away side who broke the deadlock after Dorey won the ball back in the box before pushing the ball towards the byline and sending in a cross that Solomon-Taylor was on hand to nod home.

Looking for a quick response, the Hornets fashioned their best chance of the half. Flo Fyfe was released down the right, running into space before sending in a low cross to the unmarked Paul, only for her left-footed effort to sail inches past the wrong side of the post.

Perry then forced her former Reading teammate Kite into a good stop after the striker latched onto the ball just outside the box as the Golden Girls went into the break behind.

The Dons were reduced to pot-shots soon after the interval, with Solomon-Taylor's long-range effort swerving wide, before O'Sullivan was alert to Cherelle Khaleel's strike from far-out.

Perry and Poppy Wilson had efforts deflected as Hector's side pushed for the equaliser, whilst Dorey saw a shot sail wide in an end-to-end affair.

Wimbledon's solid defence was a key aspect of their performance, with their desire to keep the ball out of the net evident as they stood strong to prevent three Watford chances within a matter of seconds.

It started with good work on Perry, showing resilience to chase down a long ball and force the defender off to regain possession, before charging in the box and squaring to McLean.

She saw her effort blocked, with the ball popping to Wilson on the edge of the area with her shot forcing Kite into an excellent low save, palming the ball to Perry whose low drive was then deflected wide.

Wimbledon continued to stand firm in defence as the Golden Girls searched for the leveller in vain, with Davison's late cross bundled into Kite's grasp by substitute Maia Lazaro.

That would prove to be the last chance of the game, with Watford falling to a disappointing defeat at the Vale.

There is the opportunity for an instant reaction with the Hornets taking on the same opponents in the Adobe Women's FA Cup at Plough Lane on Sunday (November 3, 2pm KO).

Watford: O'Sullivan; Chandler (C), Filbey, Head; Haines, Wilson; McLean (Rossiter 89), Bowyer; Fyfe (Lazaro 72), Paul (Davison 68); Perry (Hall 83).

Unused subs: Goldsmid, Georgiou, Hind.