WATFORD LADIES continued their adventure in this year's Women's FA Cup by defeating Bedford Belles by a solitary goal at the Woodside Stadium. As in the previous round, the Hornets overcame a team playing in a division higher than themselves, and now face Arsenal in a high-profile quarter final in yet another home draw.

Certainly the opening ten minutes of the game were evidence that Norman Burns' talented side are capable of pitching themselves against most from the higher echelons of the women's game.

In the opening exchanges, Watford were truly majestic, playing neat and precise one-touch football at an impressive pace. In fact, Bedford were chasing shadows from the whistle and took nearly a minute to get a first touch on the ball, as the Belles goalkeeper did well to charge down the pacey Kelly Spencer from close range.

Watford continued to turn the screw, with both Spencer and strike partner Sally Ede causing problems with their usual combination of pace and intelligent running.

Ede and Small both went close to opening the scoring, as the Hornets threatened to overwhelm their opponents. The breakthrough did finally come as early as the seventh minute through a neat 'sister act'.

Skipper Jackie Spencer created panic in the Belles defence with her phenomenal long throw, and as the ball was flicked on, sister Kelly was able to collect with her back to goal, pivot and rifle the ball into the net. It was little more than Watford had deserved for a faultless opening display.

It appeared that Spencer's 17th of the season would serve as a springboard to further additions. Yet, despite territorial dominance and some sweeping passing movements, this did not occur.

Leanne Small forced a useful save from long range and Ede threatened with two chances in quick succession, but the Belles backline remained resolute. At the opposite end chances were at a premium, as ex-England custodian Lesley Higgs was protected by a well-marshalled defence.

Bedford's most promising moments came from corner kicks, but two crosses were cleared each time via powerful Tracy Koch headers.

Burns had mixed emotions at half time -- his team had put on a sparkling performance, but had not managed to add to their opening strike. He was also conscious that his charges would be playing into the wind in the second half.

Yet, it was not the weather that was to break the Watford stranglehold. A serious shoulder injury to a Belles' defender led to a 15-minute delay as an ambulance was called. Following the restart, Watford never really managed to get back into their elegant stride and the game deteriorated into a scrappy midfield battle.

Higgs, however, remained relatively untroubled, but, as the game progressed, Bedford sensed the opportunity of an equaliser. Watford held firm under pressure, and threatened to seal the game on the counter attack.

The best two chances to do so fell to substitute Stephanie Belcher. Firstly, a snap shot from seven yards was chested clear from the line by a Belles defender, and then Belcher elected to shoot from a tight angle, when perhaps in hindsight a square pass to the unmarked Ede may have been the better option.

Higgs had a final minor scare when a hopeful punt appeared to be sneaking between the crossbar and her head. Yet the celebrations of the vociferous Bedford support were muted as the ball went over the bar and nestled behind the goal.

No sooner had the cheers died, then the game was brought to its conclusion by the referee's whistle.

Watford, despite not regaining their early fluency, kept yet another clean sheet, and thanks to Spencer's clinical finishing went safely into the quarter final draw for the first time in their history.

The quarter final will take place on March 7 at a venue to be announced.

Watford Ladies: Higgs, J Spencer, Koch, McGroaty, Crump, Ray (Belcher 62), Burns, Small, Wickham, Ede, K Spencer. Substitute not used: Wicka.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.