Women: Preview - Lewes

Match Info

Fixture: Watford v Lewes
Competition: FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division
Venue: Grosvenor Vale
Time: Sunday January 5, 2pm 
Strip: Yellow home kit

Watford FC Women will be looking to make a winning start to 2025 as they return to action in the FA WNL Southern Premier Division at home to Lewes.

It has been three weeks since the Golden Girls last played, earning a 5-1 win away at Billericay Town to make it three wins on the bounce in the league.

A third match against Lewes this season, having played them once in the league and once in the FA WNL Cup, now awaits Renée Hector's side following the break over the festive period.

The first match of the New Year sees two sides who are quite familiar with one another face off, with both having competed in the Women's Championship last season.

How The Land Lies

Nine points from a possible nine in the Southern Premier Division has seen Watford rise to fifth in the table with 20 points from 11 games, although they still sit nine points off top-of-the-table Ipswich Town.

Twelve goals were scored in these three victories, with the two truimphs in November coming against Exeter City and Hashtag United, two teams above the Golden Girls in the table.

As a result, Hector was named the FA Women’s National League Premier Division Manager of the Month.

The increased competition in the third tier this season has seen both sides struggle at times, with the Hornets two points better off than Sunday's opponents.

Lewes currently occupy seventh in the division with 18 points, and lost 1-0 away to Exeter City in their final game before Christmas.

Pre-Match Chat

Hornets Head Coach Renée Hector told watfordfc.com before the game that she is raring to get going again in 2025 as she prepares to come up against a familiar opponent.

“I am really looking forward to getting back to league action this weekend,” she said.

“We are in good form in the league with three wins on the bounce, so we're looking to add a fourth win, and hopefully we'll move forward and pick up as many points as possible.

“The girls have worked hard this week coming back into it. They’ve been training over Christmas as well, to keep everybody fresh and on it.

“We are looking forward to what is going to be quite a difficult game.

“We have obviously played Lewes twice already, and they have been a tricky customer in both games.

“We are going to do our best to break them down and get the result.”

Team News

Hector has no fresh injury concerns for her side’s first match of 2025.

“We have a full squad available for this weekend,” she explained.

Tickets

Tickets are available to purchase from tickets.watfordfc.com, over the phone on 01923 223023 and in-person at the Supporter Services & Ticketing Office at Vicarage Road.

Full details can be found HERE.

Fans can also buy their tickets on the door, but this is subject to a price increase.

Follow the game

Not able to attend?

Follow match updates on our X account @WatfordFCWomen, and see our website and app for a report and reaction after the game.