The Bees fielded a weakened line-up as Gemma Rudman and Danielle Murphy were both suspended with Alex Keown, Stacey Sowden and Helen King all side-lined through injury. Barnet were looking for that elusive first league win whilst Watford looked to build pressure on league leaders Sunderland.

The game started slowly but The Bees should have had a penalty with just over twenty minutes gone when Chontele Lawrence was bought down whilst through on goal. Only a couple of minutes later Watford missed a chance to go in front when Jo Wilson put the ball wide after being put clear through on goal.  Soon after, Barnet had yet another lucky escape. A poor back pass from Holly Sandow forced Cherie Rowlands to clear but her effort was deflected off of Sarah Wiltshire. Fortunately for The Bees, Wiltshire was unable to gain full control of the ball which sailed past the post.

The teams went in level at half time with very little separating the two sides.

With just three minutes of the second half gone Watford were awarded a debatable penalty for a Holly Sandow foul on Sarah Wiltshire, who converted the spot kick herself.

Josie Green doubled Watford’s lead on fifty-three minutes, coolly converting to put the home side in the ascendency.

The Bees were again denied a penalty less than ten minutes after conceding one when Bonnie Horwood appeared to handball inside her own area.

With just five minutes remaining Jo Wilson passed the Bees defence with ease and hit the ball past Cherie Rowlands for Watford’s third.

The Ladies team are back in action at Underhill in the new year, with the next match being at home to Leeds United on Sunday 6th January, kick-off 2pm.