A frantic last 10 minutes at New Ferens Park saw Durham give Watford a run for their money despite losing to the away side two-one.
Two goals from Jo Wilson gave Watford an early lead but Yasmine Hardy scored late on which then saw Durham push for an equaliser before Watford saw out the victory.
The opening stages of the match saw the game open evenly with both sides having plenty of possession of the ball and attacking on goal. Durham were playing strongly and they took a killer blow just before the 10 minute mark when Christon’s back pass allowed Wilson through unmarked to make the score 1-0.
Despite going a goal behind, Durham continued to apply pressure and were playing lovely pieces of football that saw Beth Hepple making the most of space down the left to power forward and win her side a corner.
This was an open game and Watford had a chance to double their advantage in the 22nd minute when Sarah Wiltshire darted round both Jen King and Lauren Jordinson before Hill comfortably made the save.
Fantastic play from King saw her keep possession of the ball in the defensive and the defender sent the ball down the left flank for Durham to attack and apply pressure on the Watford defence.
Durham had their best chance of equalising just before the half-hour mark when Zoe Ness’ long range effort that Lauren Devey spilled and almost allowed Crooks an effort on goal but she reacted quickly to gather the ball.
The Wildcats were playing some of their best football so far this season but they were dealt a killer blow on the stroke of half-time when Wilson got her second of the game when Wiltshire squared the ball across the box to the striker who made it 2-0 to the visitors.
Half-time and it was 2-0 to Watford.
Durham were forced into a substitution before the second-half started after captain Caroline Dixon was injured at the end of the first-half. She was replaced by Rosie Young.
The home side started brightly with Stacy Crooks threading the ball through to Ness who’s cross back into the box hit the side netting. Durham continued to string a number of chances together and the introduction of Young provided a spark for the Wildcats.
It was end-to-end action between the two sides and Wilson nearly had her hat-trick in the 55th minute when she was sent through on goal only for Hill to stand up tall and get her left-foot out to save the strikers shot.
Their best chance of the second half fell to Ness when Crooks had been pushed out wide to the left before fooling the Watford defence to cut back inside and cross into the box. It was met by the Scotland U19 international who’s first-time shot narrowly went wide over the bar.
The Wildcats were rewarded for their hard work in the 81st minute after a strong period of pressure from the home side. Watford failed to clear the ball from the penalty box and it was Ness who headed the ball out to substitute Yasmine Hardy who’s powerful right-footed shot sailed into the back of the net.
The final few minutes of the game saw Durham franticly try to grab an equaliser with a corner but Watford held out to take all three points.