Head coach Renee Hector was “over the moon” after Watford Women produced an excellent display to beat leaders Hashtag United 2-0 at Grosvenor Vale.

Jessie Gale got the Golden Girls off to the perfect start after just five minutes of yesterday's game before Coral Haines’ 30-yard stunner sealed the victory with 15 minutes remaining and inflicted just a second defeat of the campaign on the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division table toppers.

The win leaves Watford sixth in the table, nine points behind new leaders Ipswich Town, who have moved above Hashtag on goal difference.

“I’m over the moon,” reflected a jubilant Hector. “The way the girls dug in from minute one all the way until the end, that’s the fight and determination we’ve seen building up in recent weeks. We fought for each other, threw bodies on the line, scored two brilliant goals and I’m so happy for them.

“In some games we’ve felt we’ve deserved more and we’ve had a lot of the ball without being able to put it in the net. We always say about trying to start fast and today was the perfect start.

“I loved the first goal because it’s stuff that we’ve worked on so it just shows the work we’re putting in during training is coming out in games.”

The Hornets made the early breakthrough when Gale converted a cross from Flo Fyfe at the back post after she had sprung the offside trap on the right.

Arsenal dual-sign Gale almost created a second when Haines switched play to find the 18-year-old in plenty of space on the left but her centre didn’t get the touch it needed.

Watford keeper Maria O’Sullivan comfortably held a couple of long-range efforts as the hosts continued to create the better chances.

Sophie McLean’s shot from the edge of the area was palmed away by Frankie Angel before Poppy Wilson lifted an effort from another Fyfe centre over the top.

The momentum remained with Watford after the break, as Gale saw a shot deflected wide and Wilson again cleared the target with another strike.

Wilson went much closer when a Haines free-kick caused chaos in the box on the hour, sending a shot inches wide.

But Watford did get the second goal their play deserved with 15 minutes remaining and it proved to be a spectacular one, Haines firing a fantastic 30-yard strike over Angel and into the top corner.

Substitute Madison Perry almost made it three soon after with a close-range strike that went narrowly wide following a Gale cross.

O’Sullivan ensured there was to be no late Hashtag revival as she produced a superb point-blank save to deny former Watford player Fran Ali in the closing stages.

“We know we have the quality within our group to beat any team in this league,” Hector said.

“We have to be on it, ready to fight and win duels, and that’s the side of the game we have to be 100 per cent consistent at.

“Hashtag are very physical and athletic, they make things difficult for you on the ball – which is a different challenge for us – but we dealt with it brilliantly.”