Watford Ladies are still seeking their first point of the new Women’s Super League 2 season after they were beaten 3-1 by Oxford United Women at their Kings Langley FC home yesterday.

Keith Boanas’ side were chasing the game from as early as the seventh minute after conceding the opener. Oxford were to score a second before Sarah Jones halved the deficit before the interval, but the hosts were unable to net again before Emily Allen made sure of the points nine minutes from time.

Watford’s assistant manager Alberto Kurti said: "It was certainly for us a disappointment to lose because we gave away two soft goals in the first half, but there was a great reaction with a good goal from Sarah.

"We went on to create chances, we got in to areas and dominated possession in the second half. We had set pieces but we have just got to put the ball into the back of the net.

"To then concede the third goal put us a bit on the back foot but we never gave in. And credit to the girls, they tried and listened to the information we gave them at half-time.

"It was disappointing to lose the game, it's very easy to get the ball and launch it, maybe we will have to look at doing that but for us as a team we try to play the right way."

Emily Donavon had an early shot comfortably saved by Watford keeper Fran Kitching, before the visitors opened the scoring when Hannah Short was quickest to react after Watford failed to clear their lines from a right-wing free-kick.

The Hornets almost levelled when midfielder Merrick Will burst forward to force Demi Lambourne into a smart save on the half hour, but Oxford doubled the lead after Rinsola Babajide was penalised for a challenge on Kayleigh Hines just outside the penalty box.

Hines made the most of the opportunity, curling home the set piece from 20 yards.

But the 2-0 lead didn’t last long as Jones headed in a Meghan McKeag corner at the far post after 36 minutes.

And Watford almost drew level after Anneka Nuttall was scythed down by Stephanie Williams, which resulted in a booking.

Will headed over from the free-kick and was then just wide from a corner on the stroke of half-time.

Oxford edged the second-half in terms of possession as defences dominated until Emily Allen’s late strike sealed the points.

The visitors continued to attack and substitute Chloe Chivers went close to a fourth goal in injury time.

Following their 3-1 opening-day defeat at Millwall Lionesses, Watford will aim to get off the mark at the third time of asking on Sunday when they make the long trip to Durham Women.

Watford Ladies: Kitching; Kerr, McKeag, Jones, Nuttall, Babajide, McCarthy, Bragg (Albert 77), Sargent (Fatuga-Dada 52), Will, Maple (Petkova 80). Subs not used: Fletcher, Puddefoot, Neal.