A solitary goal 20 minutes from time courtesy of striker Clarabella Hall was enough to see Watford Women into the second round of the National League Cup.

The 18-year-old, who joined on dual registration from Brighton in the summer, was in the right place to deflect a clearance into the net and give the Hornets victory at The Dripping Pan.

Eight minutes into the game keeper Jacqui Goldmsid finger-tipped a lobbed effort from Paula Howells onto the bar, and Poppy Durhan’s follow-up effort is blocked.

Then midfielder Anna Filbey made a fine intervention to deny Lewes’ Mia Adaway.

A Gemma Davison inswinging corner on the half-hour almost goes straight in but, after a scramble, Maddie Brant clears for the home side.

Howells seized on a defensive mix-up but saw her first effort charged down before sending the rebound wide.

Five minutes before the break Brant did well to keep the ball in on the left flank, and then crossed for Sammy Quayle to shoot on the turn, but it was blocked near the line.

A minute in the second half the home side wasted a great opportunity when Howells slipped the ball to Quayle, but she shot wide of the back post from a really good position.

Seven minutes later Goldsmid made a good save to deny Adaway, before Watford responded with substitute Coral Haines shooting just over from a half-cleared corner.

After an hour Lachante Paul centred low from the left and Elkie Bowyer saw her shot saved by Lewes keeper Emily Moore.

Layla Proctor then sent a header wide after good approach work from Howells, while at the other end Flo Fyfe was denied by keeper Moore.

Watford finally broke the deadlock in the 70th minute. Haines drove a corner into the heart of the box, substitute Lily Whitelock – making her senior debut – had a shot blocked and when Maddie Brant tried to clear she drove the ball against Hall and into the net.

Madison Perry came off the bench for her debut and almost made an instant impact but sent a shot wide of the far post, and she went close again in stoppage time.

Next Sunday (October 6), Watford travel to face Ipswich Town in the league.

Watford: Goldsmid; Filbey, Chandler, Hind (Meiwald 86); McLean (Fyfe ht), Bowyer, Georgiou, Hall (Perry 74); Davison (Haines ht), Paul (Whitelock 64), Head. Subs: O’Sullivan, Bishop