THE Herts Girls League clash between Watford Ladies under 15s and Bushey Rangers ended in controversy as Watford claimed a hard-fought victory.

In this derby clash, Watford just shaded the early stages with Wiz Hunt and Gemma Davison the pick of the attacking force, but some inspired tackling from the Bushey Rangers defence kept the score all square until a back header wrong-footed the unlucky Rangers' keeper and allowed Wiz Hunt a simple chance to open the scoring.

Chances were created at both ends but both keepers both had outstanding games and thwarted all further attempts on goals until the break.

Kicking downhill in the second half, Bushey kept up sustained pressure on the Watford goal, only to be resisted by the assured Alicia Fischer and Katie Dodwell.

However, Rangers got the goal their play deserved courtesy of a sweet free-kick from Kayleigh Baker

Both sides then threw caution to the wind and went for the win.

With defences being equal to the task, a draw looked inevitable until a Watford attack, which had more than a suspicion of offside about it, was finished off with an excellent drive from Kelly Randall.

The ructions that followed continued for the rest of the match and, on occasions, just stopped short of a brawl.

However, despite desperate attacks from Bushey, Watford kept their heads and stood firm to complete a difficult 2-1 win.

Watford Ladies look ominously placed in second spot in the South East Combination League after a 4-0 away win at Whitehawk.

With only eleven fit players due to a spate of injuries, Watford began cautiously and it was not until 31 minutes that Lander slotted the first after catching the keeper off her line.

The second half saw Watford dominate as they added three further goals.

On 57 minutes, McKenna added the second with her weaker right foot and Leanne Small scored the third, direct from a corner.

Hall wrapped up the victory when she calmly shot under the advancing keeper for the fourth.

Watford Ladies under 12s conceded six second-half goals and also missed a penalty as they were comprehensively defeated 9-1 away at Hitchen Bells.

After last weeks good play, Watford started very well and kept Hitchen out until a couple of minutes before half time, when their striker ran through the Watford defence and then finished well from close range.

Hitchen added two more goals before the break, and then six further strikes followed in quick succession shortly after the restart.

Watford had their chances, but Nashina Mohamed saw her spot kick saved. She made amends with a consolation goal late on.

December 14, 2001 11:30