'This defeat didn’t define our season but it certainly summed it up'

There were tears and very sad faces at the end of the 2-0 defeat to Charlton at Vicarage Road that condemned Watford Women to relegation from the Championship.

Indeed it was a game which encapsulated their season as a whole: they played well, created chances, were solid behind the ball but ultimately came up short.

“This defeat didn’t define our season but it certainly summed it up,” agreed interim head coach Matt Bevans.

“We did really well for long spells but we made errors that were punished, and we don’t punish the errors our opponents make.

“Ultimately, games like this are what have cost us this season.”

It could have been a very different afternoon had Watford gone ahead inside the first minute when Bianca Baptise was sent through and put a shot beyond the keeper that was then cleared by a defender.

“It was pleasing and disappointing: pleasing because we’d worked all week on getting balls played over their high line, and for one minute I felt like a coaching genius,” said Bevans.

“But disappointing because we didn’t score, and it’s moments like that which change games.

“This season we haven’t made the most of our big moments.”

In fact, Charlton had rarely looked like breaking through until an error from keeper Safia Middleton-Patel gifted them a goal early in the second half.

“It’s really frustrating, but also comforting in the fact that in no game this year has our keeper had to make six or seven big saves,” Bevans said.

“We’ve not been under the cosh in games and we’ve played some really good football. I think we have the highest passing stats in the league, and the most possession.

“But ultimately we’ve not had enough going forward to capitalise on those qualities.”

All season long the difference has been that other teams in the Championship have that sprinkling of additional class that comes with being full-time and paying players wages accordingly.

“Yes, that’s the answer in a nutshell,” Bevans admitted.

“It’s no secret we have the lowest budget in the Championship and we’re the only part-time team.

“Yet I still feel that we’re better than the table says because in so many games we’ve been so good in so many areas – we lack that bit of quality.

“And that’s why our players are at Watford and we’re part-time and not full-time. We’re here for a reason and we have to recognise and understand that.

“All we can do is look to improve and get better, and hopefully one day we will be full-time and then you’ll see the difference.”

Despite relegation being confirmed, Watford still have two league games left.

“We can only go and give everything we’ve got into the last two games and put some pride back into ourselves and reward the hard work we’ve put in this season,” said Bevans.

“I know I’ll certainly being doing everything I can to train and prepare the team properly.

“We’re more than capable of winning our last two games, and I don’t think anyone who has seen us play would be shocked if we did.”