Blackburn Rovers made it three wins in four games in the Barclays Women’s Championship with a 1-0 victory at Watford this afternoon.
In a clash of two of the season’s surprise packages, Jade Richards netted the winning goal for Blackburn Rovers at Grosvenor Vale as they continued their good form under new boss Simon Parker.
Watford looked the most likely team to take the lead as they dominated possession in the opening period and they nearly made the most of it. Lucía León cut in from right-back and slotted a delightful pass through for Carly Johns to get on the end of. The Watford number nine only had the keeper to beat but she drilled her effort straight at Alex Brooks who got two strong gloves to the ball to turn the shot away from danger.
Blackburn Rovers were able to maintain a lengthy spell of pressure late in the first half and they were eventually able to make Watford pay. An in-swinging corner from the right picked out captain Richards whose looping header was wonderfully guided into the top corner.
After the break, Blackburn Rovers looked much more dangerous than in the first half and as Watford pushed forward, the Lancashire club were able to expose them on the counter. The link-up between Megan Hornby and Lauren Thomas caused all kinds of problems for The Golden Girls defence. With some better finishing from Thomas, the game would’ve been dead and buried.
The hosts really only have themselves to blame for losing this match as they squandered some wonderful chances to level the game late on. First, Johns was played in behind the BlackburnRovers back-line and looked certain to score with only the goalkeeper to beat. However, Brooks closed down well and smothered the shot to keep her side ahead. Then with perhaps Watford’s best chance of the whole game, Harley Bennett was found with a deep free-kick. The Watford defender was unmarked five yards from goal but couldn’t turn her glancing header on target.
The scoreline stayed at 1-0 and Blackburn Rovers returned to Lancashire with all three points. The victory puts them level on points with Southampton at the top of the table. Watford will be disappointed not to have got something from the match but they were let down by some poor finishing. Both teams now go into the international break before resuming their seasons in fortnight’s time.