Durham clinched all three points against Watford thanks to a 35 yard strike from Jordan Atkinson along with goals from Beth Hepple and Jemma Purfield.

Durham took the lead in the first half when Beth Hepple scored her first goal from open play this season after finding space on the edge of the are to cooly slot the ball into the back of the net.

Atkinson doubled the Wildcats advantage with her superb volley from distance before Purfield sealed the victory when making the most of a Watford defensive error.

Both sides started the game brightly with Watford’s Josie Green striking a shot from distance but it was a comfortable save for Danielle Hill in the Durham goal. Just moments later Emily Scott found space outside the area to notch an effort that went wide of the post.

Durham continued to apply pressure, much like they did against Millwall, forcing Watford back into their half and creating a string of chances for the North East side.

Ness nearly opened the scoring in the 17th minute when she turned and unleashed a powerful strike that had Lauren Davey beaten only for it to go just wide of the post.

But it was the Wildcats who deserved to take the lead in the 26th minute; Ness turned provider to find on the edge of the are and it was her strike that found the back of the net.

They could have almost had a second five minutes later when defender Jen King brought the ball out of defence and went on a storming run further up the field. Cutting inside, she unleashed a powerful right-footed shot that look destined for the back of the net, only for it to flash just over the cross bar.

Watford reminded Durham out what they were capable of when Hill had to be alert to save a Chole Gunn effort before Ellie Christon cleared the ball off the line.

Durham continued to soak up Watford’s pressure and could of had another when Ness found space on the edge of the area only to rush her shot over the crossbar.

Half-time and it was 1-0 to Durham.

Durham continued to keep passing the ball nicely with Atkinson finding space down the right-hand side to feed Scott only for the midfielder to be crowded out of the box by the Watford defence.

Jo Wilson managed to shrug off Ellie Christon to break through on goal but her effort was tame and straight at Hill.

Beth Jennings pace saw her latch onto a long ball forward and found Jemma Purfield in support. The winger’s shot was well saved by Davey. Purfield could have easily had enough when the ball fell to her feet but the Watford defence got the ball out of trouble.

Durham got their second of the game in spectacular fashion when Atkinson struck the ball sweetly from 35 yards out for it loop over Davey and crash into the back of the net.

Another strong defensive performance from the Wildcats saw them continue to frustrate Watford with centre-back Sarah Wilson putting out a leg as Magda Mosengo looked to play in Jo Wilson.

Jennings produced another fantastic effort when she latched on to Caroline Dixon’s long ball forward to produce a first-time effort in the box that Davey had to be out quickly to save.

Hill was alert to a searching long ball forward for Marengo to chase and was first to the ball, getting it clear before being clattered in the process.

In the space of two minutes, Durham should have had their third goal of the match when King broke down the right crossing the ball for Jennings only to be flagged offside as she headed her effort goalwards.

Scott had to be denied by a fantastic save from Davey when her powerful shot was tipped over the bar by the Watford keeper.

There were chances aplenty for Durham and Jennings reacted quickest to a poor back pass, producing a thumping strike that just went wide of the post.

Watford had another effort on goal when Dixon conceded a free kick on the edge of the area only for it to be caught by Hill.

Purfield got the final goal of the game when she she latched on to Becky Hanratty’s ball to make the most of a mix-up between Davey and Hollie Wride to pass the ball into the empty net to seal a 3-0 win for the Wildcats.

The victory was Durham’s second consecutive win and their third clean sheet of the season.