Watford made their intentions known just a couple of minutes in when Katie Natkiel shot, fortunately for the bees it went wide. Barnet’s first chance of the game came from Sally Wade who headed wide.
Cherie Rowlands was tested for the first time in the match as she dived to save an Emma Beckett shot on eight minutes. Chontelle Lawrence couldn’t decide to pass or shoot on the quarter of an hour mark meaning all Lauren Davey had to do was pick up the ball.
Although the teams had started fairly evenly Watford were starting to emerge the stronger of the two sides however the Bees defence seemed comftorble in dealing with the pressure with captain Jess Trammel helping a great deal. Katie Natkiel shot wide again, this time from close range at an angle on nineteen minutes. She gave away a freekick two minutes later bringing Vicky Boardman down just past the half way line. Katie Natkiel shot wide yet again two minutes before the half hour mark however Cherie rowlands did have to look alert. A minuite later Holly Sandow was booked for a deliberate handball.
The ever lively Katie Natkiel hit the target on thirty three minutes, this time from a close range header.
Watford were awarded a penalty on thirty seven minutes when Jo Wilson became sandwiched between two defenders; the penalty was converted by Cally Rowell.
Watford almost doubled their lead just two minutes later when Cherie Rowlands went to clear the ball from ten yards and was unable to get there in time. Fliss Gibbons ran with the ball and crossed it in when Cherie Rowlands somehow managed to head the ball in towards her own goal fortunately Leane Reidy cleared off the line. The Hornets had another opportunity to double their lead when jo Wilson showed great pace to get round the defence but shot far wide.
The bees went in 1-0 down at half time and had been on the back foot despite having started the game well.
Both teams emerged unchanged for the second half.
The bees were defending again on the hour mark with a Jo Wilson shot being blocked by Jess Trammel with the ball falling to Katie Natkiel who forced Cherie Rowlands into action form just outside the box.
Watford’s Ellie Butterwick made way for Chloe Gunn eighteen minutes into the half. Renne Hector was injured with just over twenty minutes of the game remaining and was unable to play on after on the field treatment and was replaced by Paige Logie.
Katie Natkiel forced Cherie Rowlands into action again with just over fifteen minutes remaining with the shot being comfterbley dealt with by the ‘keeper. Shortly after this Jennie Kikomeko took to the field replacing Chontelle Lawrence.
Vicky Boardman had a sliding shot from a tight angle but couldn’t direct it gaolwards. During the break in play Stacey Sowden came on for Holly Sandow. Emma Beckett was booked on eighty three minutes for pulling on Jennie Kikomeko’s shirt.
The large numbers inside the Watford box insured that Vicky Boardman’s corner was dealt with.
Watford were unfortunate not to score an own goal with less than five minutes of normal time remaining when a back pass failed unfortunately nothing came from the resulting corner.
Watford made what seemed like no more than a time wasting substitution as the clock ticked over into added time with jo Wilson making way for Katie Knell.
The game finished 1-0 to Watford meaning they overtook the Bees in the group standings finishing top with both teams progressing to the knockout stages of the competition.
Credit must go to the ground staff for ensuring the game went ahead when many other games were called off.
The Bees are back in league action next Sunday playing Sunderland at the slightly earlier kick off time of 1pm with Free admission for Season Ticket holders and Bees Members otherwise just £3 for adults £1 for concessions; The Durham Sweet will also be open shortly before, throughout and after the match serving refreshments and showing live Premier League football.
