Watford Ladies manager John Salomon was left lamenting his side’s failure to replicate their first-half display after going down 4-2 to Sunderland Ladies on Sunday.

The Hornets went into the break 2-0 up at Berkhamsted FC after goals from Kate Natkiel and Sarah Wiltshire but were eventually beaten by the Women’s Super League 2 second-place Wearsiders.

“We didn’t show the level of performance in the second half that we did in the first half, where I thought we were outstanding,” Salomon told the club’s website.

“It showed in the scoreline but maybe we’ve got to work on our consistency in order for us to see that out in future.

“We knew Sunderland would come at us in the second half because it happened when we played them here last season but unfortunately we just didn’t deal with that today.

“Their second goal was an absolutely brilliant strike but giving away two penalties was really disappointing,” added the Golden Girls’ manager.

Watford started brightly, Rachel Laws denying Jo Wilson early on before the hosts took the lead in the 15th minute.

Ellie Butterwick played the ball forward for Wiltshire, who in turn crossed for Natkiel to volley home.

Captain Lauren Davey was in form in the Watford goal, denying both Beth Mead and Keira Ramshaw before Salomon’s side doubled their lead before the break.

A handball from a Sunderland player gave Wiltshire the opportunity to extend Watford’s advantage from 12 yards and she did just that.

The Black Cats pulled one back shortly after the break, Mead converting a penalty of her own in the 56th minute.

Just two minutes later, the Wearsiders were level as Rachel Furness picked out the top corner from distance.

A second penalty put Sunderland in front for the first time in the 62nd minute.

Having been fouled in the box, Mead got up and dusted herself down to net her second spot-kick.

With just over ten minutes left to play, Ramshaw completed the job by heading in Vicki Greenwell’s corner at the far post.

Defeat leaves Salomon’s side sixth place in the table after five matches ahead of a break in the season.

The Golden Girls are due to return to action on June 29 with a trip to London Bees.