Watford Women will head to Exeter City for their final game of the season on April 27 in a straight shoot-out for third place in the Women’s National League South.
The Hornets were comprehensive 4-0 winners against Welsh side Gwalia United this afternoon, and that result coupled with Exeter’s 2-0 loss at second-placed Hashtag United means the Golden Girls leapfrog the West Country team and head into that last-day showdown in third place.
A win or even a draw would be good enough for Renee Hector’s side to end the season third in the table.
The final home game of the campaign saw Watford prove far too strong for Gwalia as they powered their way to a 4-0 win.
Striker Madison Perry scored two, meaning she has netted in each of the last four home games, as the Hornets ran out comfortable winners at Vicarage Road.
Watford made the running from the start with Lachante Paul firing just over the bar before Jessie Gale hit the post.
The breakthrough arrived in the 37th minute as the ball was worked out to Jessie Gale on the right and her low across into the six-yard box was turned home at the back post by Ellie Head.
It took only two minutes of the second half for Watford to extend their lead as Paul drove into the area and then unselfishly squared for Perry to stroke the ball home from just outside the six-yard box.
The striker netted her second and Watford’s third 20 minutes later, prodding home from close range after her initial shot from a Flo Fyfe cross had been blocked.
The one negative note for the afternoon was what looked bad injury to Paul, who had to be stretchered off.
Fyfe got on the scoresheet in the final minute, making it 4-0 from close range after Bianca Baptiste – who saw an effort hit the woodwork moments before - had created the opportunity with a run into the box followed by a lob into the danger area.
League leaders Ipswich Town crushed bottom side MK Dons 11-0, with striker Sophie Peskett scoring six, and they now need just a point from their final game of the season at home to Cheltenham to be mathematically crowned league champions.
However, it would take an almost impossible set of results to deny the Suffolk side, as they are three points clear of second-placed Hashtag United, who would need Ipswich to lose while themselves winning away at Oxford and seeing a goal difference swing of 36.
• Before the game, Watford skipper Megan Chandler was presented with the Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards.
Watford: Cull; Lyon, Meiwald, Chandler, Haines, Rossiter, Perry (Davison 75), Head (Georgiou 60), Gale (Fyfe 55), Fisher (Mehmet 80), Paul (Baptiste 62). Unused subs: Sideras, Hind
