Three first-half goals and the character to withstand a spirited revival from Charlton Athletic combined to give Watford Women their first win of the new Championship season.

A goal in the opening minutes of the first half and then two in stoppage time put Damon Lathrope’s side fully in the driving seat in front of a crowd of 721 at The Valley.

The home side rallied after the break and had pulled two goals back with ten minutes to go but Watford stood firm for a victory that puts them sixth in the 12-team league table.

Watford made one change from the starting XI that lost 3-2 at London City Lionesses last week, striker Michelle Agyemang – who picked up an injury in that game – being replaced by Laila Herbert.

The 16-year-old midfielder, who has been capped by England at Under-17 level, was making her full debut after completing a dual-registration from Arsenal along with Agyemang and defender Katie Reid.

There could not have been a better start for Lathrope’s side as they went ahead after only four minutes.

Carly Johns put home keeper Sian Rogers under pressure and then seized on her sloppy pass to square for Sophie McLean to make it 1-0 from close range.

Mia Ross then sent in a cross that just eluded Melissa Johnson before Angela Addison’s long-range effort was excellently blocked by Watford midfielder Dre Georgiou.

In the 33rd minute Johnson flicked the ball on for Karin Muya to send a shot goalwards that that was charged down superbly by Corinne Henson in the Watford defence.

Having ridden out the home side’s spell of pressure, Watford began to drive forward and it took a fine save from Rogers to deny Georgiou in the 39th minute.

A couple of lengthy breaks in play for treatment to injuries - one which saw Charlton keeper Rogers replaced by Jessica Gray - led to an additional nine minutes of stoppage time, and Watford capitalised by scoring twice more before half-time.

Three minutes into the nine it was 2-0 as a corner wasn’t cleared and Johns struck her third goal in as many games since moving to Vicarage Road from Oxford United in the summer.

The Golden Girls weren’t done there though, and seven minutes into stoppage time McLean netted her second of the game with a calm finish through the legs of Gray to make it 3-0 at the interval.

Charlton had to do something to try and turn the tide, and they made three half-time substitutions.

Watford Observer: Sophie McLean puts Watford ahead at Charlton after four minutes.Sophie McLean puts Watford ahead at Charlton after four minutes. (Image: Andrew Waller Images)

Two minutes after the restart Watford keeper Olivia Clark made a fine save to deny Freya Godfrey before Freda Ayisi sent a curling effort just wide.

However, the home side got one back in the 56th minute when Carla Humphrey struck a free-kick into the top-left corner.

Six minutes later Humphrey almost turned provider as her through-ball ended with Johnson turning to send a shot just wide.

Godfrey sent a 74th-minute long range effort wide before the Addicks made it 3-2 in the 80th minute.

Aysi played the ball into Addison and, when her first effort was blocked, the striker followed up to volley home the rebound.

With four minutes to go Charlton captain Kiera Skeels sent an effort over the bar and a minute later Clark made another good stop to thwart Johnson.

Watford had to withstand five minutes of stoppage time, but the closest the home side came to snatching a point was when Skeels headed wide from a Johnson corner.

This was Watford’s first Championship win since they beat London City 1-0 in March 2022 and it came against a Charlton side that finished fourth last season.

Coupled with the performance in last week’s undeserved defeat at London City, who finished third last season and have strengthened their squad to the extent they are favourites for promotion, this victory shows that Lathrope’s prediction his side can surprise people and do far more than just to scrap to survive after promotion was far, far more than tubthumping.

They face another tough test next week when fourth-placed Blackburn Rovers, who beat Sheffield United 2-1 earlier today, are the visitors.

That game takes place on Sunday (September 17) at Wealdstone FC’s Grosvenor Vale stadium, kick-off 2pm.

A reminder that season ticket holders for Watford’s men’s team enjoy reduced ticket prices both in advance or on the day. Prices and ticket information can be found here.

Watford: Clark; Leon (Head 84), Lafayette (Palisch 65), McLean, Johns (Baptiste 77), Bennett, Georgiou (Fyfe 65), Harbert, Haines, Reid, Henson. Sub not used: Dowsett