A first Watford goal for Jessie Gale earned a point in a 1-1 draw away at Lewes yesterday.

The Golden Girls rallied from going a goal down against the side who were relegated with them from the Championship last season.

Gale, who is dual-signed from Arsenal, levelled the game up in the 70th minute after the home

Substitutes Ellie Head and Gemma Davison both came close to finding a winner, but the draw leaves Renée Hector’s side with four points from their first three games in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.

The Watford head coach was disappointed that her side were unable to take maximum points from her second away game in charge, rueing poor decision-making in the final third.

“I’m not particularly pleased with the performance today,” Hector said.

“I thought there were some moments, and if I’m being honest certain decisions could’ve gone our way, but we don’t make excuses, we had the opportunities to win the game comfortably and we’ve not taken them.

“We need to be more decisive in the final action, we need to compete better and I think we weren’t on it 100% in terms of the 50/50s, being ready to land on second balls, the sort of thing that can get you over the line.

“I think at times we played nice football but we could’ve moved the ball quicker and made it a lot more difficult for them to defend us

“At times we probably tried to force it a little too much but look, we go behind and we’re still able to nick a goal back with good pressing so there were positives to take away, but we need to improve.”

Goalscorer Gale came in for praise from the Watford head coach.

“Jessie always gives 110%, no matter what,” she said.

“We knew today she’d give us more legs at the top line, we’re able to stretch opposition backlines a bit more when she’s in there, and she’s also really aggressive on the press.

“She’s strong, she’s quick and she’s a very good player, and she’s got her goal from a bit of really hard work. I’m delighted for her.”

On Thursday night (September 5), Watford make the short trip to Chesham United for the determining round of the Women’s National League Cup (7pm KO).

Watford Women: O'sullivan; Filbey, Meiwald, Chandler, McLean, Rossiter, Bowyer (Head 73), Haines, Paul (Davison 63), Fyfe (Lazaro 80), Gale. Unused subs: Goldsmid, Hall, Hind