John Salomon highlighted the progress made by his players after a superb Ellie Mason goal capped a fine all-round performance as Watford Ladies beat Aston Villa Ladies 1-0 to secure their first Women's Super League 2 victory of the season.

The 19-year-old, who was making her first start for the Golden Girls after joining from Chelsea, netted the memorable winner with 15 minutes remaining yesterday when she sent a looping effort over Jess Myers after Stacie Donnelly had flicked a header on.

The victory was the first in six attempts for Salomon's side and lifted them off the bottom of the table and above London Bees.

Villa had beaten Watford in their historic first game at Vicarage Road at the end of March and the Golden Girls boss told the club website: "I’m really pleased to get that first win of the season, it was a tough game. Only a few weeks ago we were standing here having lost 4-1 to Villa, so to have turned that around and win 1-0 today shows how far these players have come in a short space of time.

"It’s a massive credit to them because they’ve worked incredibly hard at training after we reviewed things and tried to change things slightly. I’m pleased for the players and obviously it’s great to get off the mark and get the first win.

"We did the same thing when I first took over as manager, it took a few games to get it right and that’s happened this season. We started with a formation that’s worked for us in the past, it wasn’t early on so we changed it.

"To throw something completely new at the players only two weeks into the start of the season meant that it was going to take time. There’s still a long way to go but to be here and to have made that improvement so quickly, it shows how dedicated they are."

Mason said after the game: "It's an amazing feeling to get that first win. All of the girls played brilliantly today, everyone put a good shift in and it's just so good to get the three points."

Describing her match winner as "probably the best goal I've ever scored", the striker added: "I'm absolutely buzzing from the strike, it was great that it's helped us get that first win.

"I thought I had a good game, all of the side did well. We worked hard as a team, defended fantastically and everyone put in 100 per cent effort at all times. We couldn't have asked for anything more."

After Alicia Robinson had tested Watford goalkeeper Shayla Burgess from 30 yards, Watford almost took the lead after 13 minutes when Kate Natkiel latched onto Donnelly's fine pass but her shot was kept out by Myers' leg.

Clear-cut chances were at a premium for the remainder of the opening period but both sides playing some attractive football in a well-fought contest.

The second period was to be more open with Villa spurning a great chance to take the lead immediately after the restart when Abi Cottam fired wide after being played in by Kate Wilkinson.

Olivia Fergusson also missed the target and Wilkinson hit the post with a dinked effort, either side of Natkiel forcing Myers into a save with a shot from distance.

Natkiel had arguably the visitors' best opening of the game with 20 minutes to go when she was superbly picked out by a long Josie Green pass, only to be denied by a fine stop by the Villa keeper.

Myers though, was powerless to keep out Mason's fine strike as Watford made the breakthrough.

Salomon made three substitutions in the last ten minutes, including giving a league debut to Phoebe Read, but his side held firm to pick up their first victory.

The Golden Girls will be aiming to build on this win when they face Millwall on Sunday but Salomon warned: "We’re under no illusions. One win doesn’t mean we’re going to carry on this run now, we’ve got to get our heads down and work hard again this week in preparation for the Millwall game.

"Our other point this season came against them so it’s another opportunity for us to go and show we’ve progressed and moved on since that point.

"We now have to focus on giving this level of performance again if not more and trying the best we can to get the three points against Millwall. Things will then look very different on that league table."

Sunday's match will be played at Harlow Town's ground due to maintenance work at The Den, kicking off at 6pm.

Watford Ladies: S Burgess, Heaslip, M Burgess, Robe, Gillard, Wride, Green, Donnelly (Read 90), Dear, Natkiel (Adamson 82), Mason (Farrow 87). Not used: Zekai, Butterwick, Nuttall, Scheffer.