Watford Ladies manager John Salomon took encouragement from their display despite losing 3-0 at home to Chelsea in the Continental Tyres Cup on Wednesday.

The result leaves the Golden Girls bottom of the Group One table with three defeats from as many games but Salomon took the positives from their latest showing against the Women’s Super League One leaders.

He said: “We were pleased with the performance. First half was a lot about defending.

"We had to try and keep things tight, make sure that we restricted space and try to take opportunities to break out.

“In the second half we played with a lot more intent and started to ask a few questions of Chelsea. We created some good opportunities and had a couple of clear-cut chances. I think we were wondering what we needed to do to score by the end of it.”

Chelsea threatened the opener midway through the first half but goalkeeper Trippoli Witney saved Laura Coombs’ effort.

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Atlanta Primus fired past Witney from 15 yards out. Chelsea extended their lead just before the break when Gemma Davison’s shot was deflected into the net by Jodie Brett.

Watford started the second half brightly and Anneka Nuttall was only denied by an excellent save from Marie Hourihan.

But Chelsea sealed victory in the 80th minute with Kim Farrow firing home the third goal.

Attention has already turned towards the WSL 2 home match with Oxford on Sunday at midday.Salomon said: “We’ve got a really important game against Oxford on Sunday, we were mindful of that with both our selections and our substitutions.

“It’s good to see the players on the pitch fighting for their places now and pushing forwards and wanting to be better.”