Women: Watford 8-0 MK Dons

Watford made it 15 goals scored and two wins from their last two matches with a 8-0 demolition of Milton Keynes Dons at Grosvenor Vale.

An own-goal kicked off proceedings, before a quickfire brace from Gemma Davison and a long-range effort from Elkie Bowyer put the side in complete control at the break.

Flo Fyfe ensured they continued where they left off in the second half, before efforts from Jessie Gale, Coral Haines and Lachante Paul meant the Golden Girls marked Megan Chandler’s 100th game for Watford in perfect fashion.

“I could not have asked for more. Eight great goals, different goalscorers, a great performance,” Chandler told watfordfc.com after the game. “It was a pretty special day.

“I have been here for what feels like forever now, so I am happy to get it over the line and reach 100.

“It is a special moment and one I will treasure forever."

In addition, Head Coach Renée Hector believes the number of goals scored represents the hard work the players have been putting in. 

She said: “We have spoken about the amount of chances we have been not quite been putting in the back of the net.

“To score eight goals today is really pleasing to see because it shows what we are doing on the training pitch is starting to come out on the pitch.

“Everyone is contributing to us winning and scoring, it just shows the quality we have got throughout the squad.”

On a sunny afternoon, the Golden Girls were led out by Chandler and her two children, with the defender captained the team as she reached a century of appearances.

They dominated from kick-off, and it didn’t take long for the side to take the lead. A recycled corner saw Haines deliver a dangerous, low cross into the area, which Isabelle Rumption could only turn into her own net.

Anna Draper did well to hold onto Gale’s attempted curled effort after good work from Davison, but the side didn’t have to wait long to double their lead.

A cross from Gale found its’ way to Davison at the back post, who cut in onto her right foot before sending an effort with pinpoint accuracy into the bottom corner.

The former England international then added her second, and Watford’ third, showing her striker’s instinct to poke home a low Fyfe cross.

Hector’s side didn’t take their foot off the gas for the entire first half, creating wave after wave of attack against an MK Dons side struggling to move out their half.

The first half was rounded out in excellent fashion by Bowyer, with the dual-sign Spurs midfielder firing in a ferocious right-footed effort from outside of the box to notch her first Watford goal. 

The Golden Girls continued in the exact same fashion after the interval, with Fyfe pulling off an outrageous roulette to get past the defender before delivering a cross that Bowyer could only put wide.

The former would then get her reward for an impressive display, slipped in by McLean before finishing comfortably into the bottom corner.

It was then Gale’s turn to get in on the act, with the dual-sign Arsenal forward making no mistake when through on goal after good work from Anne Meiwald to win the ball back, and an inch-perfect ball over the top from Davison.

Watford continued to push for more, with Poppy Wilson forcing Draper into a good save, whilst Gale’s menacing run from the right saw her fire an effort from a tight-angle that grazed the crossbar.

Wilson was then again denied from close-range by the goalkeeper after heading a corner goalwards, before the referee had no choice but to point to the spot as Meidwald was forced over in the box in the aftermath.

Haines stepped up and saw her initial penalty saved, but needed no invitation to smash home on the rebound to add the Golden Girls’ seventh.

Paul then fired over the bar and Bowyer sent a shot wide as the side searched for an eighth, which the former eventually provided.

Picking the ball up to the right outside the box, the substitute dribbled to the edge of the area before unleashing a shot that nestled in the top of the goal, well out of the goalkeeper's reach.

Gale was agonisingly close to making it nine when she fired over the bar following a solo run in the final knockings of the game, with the full-time whistle signalling an excellent day’s work for the team.

Following the postponement of next weekend’s trip to Plymouth Argyle, attention now turns to two weeks’ time, with the Golden Girls back in action at Grosvenor Vale against Cheltenham Town (Sunday September 22, 2pm KO). 

Watford: O'Sullivan; Meidwald, Filbey (Hind 84), Chandler (Bishop 86); McLean (Paul 75), Haines; Bowyer, Wilson; Fyfe (Lazaro 61), Gale, Davison (Head 75).
Unused subs: Goldsmid, Hall.