Watford Women are preparing to face Oxford United in their big top-of-the-table clash tomorrow night after Helen Ward enjoyed a day “almost written in the stars” to fire her side to a 5-1 over Bridgwater United.

An attendance of 1,127 turned out to watch the club captain score four times in her final appearance at Vicarage Road before retiring at the end of this season.

Sunday’s victory moved the Golden Girls up to second in the Women’s National League Southern Premier Division, a point behind Oxford having played a game more ahead of their showdown at Grosvenor Vale.

Ward said of her four goals: “It’s a good feeling. I should have scored with my first touch of the game with a great ball from Bianca (Baptiste). It’s lovely obviously to score goals here but for the team another five-goal win, another three points and we move on to another big game on Wednesday.

“The crowd were fantastic. We could hear them all game. That’s what we want to do. We want to play in front of people like that. There’s been a group of guys who have come over from Wales as well which is amazing.

“There were times in the game when we weren’t quite out our best and we know that but we’ve come off again with five goals and another important three points and that’s the biggest thing, but the fans here, a lovely day as well, it’s made it a really special occasion for us.”

Head coach Damon Lathrope was once again fulsome in his praise of the all-round contribution of the Hornets and Wales legend.

“First and foremost, Hels is a top person,” he said. “She’s great to have around the younger players, great to have in a changing room and she’s served the club so well over the years.

“She deserved it today and it was almost like written in the stars. Last game at the Vic, she leads the team out and scores four goals. You can’t ask for anymore.

“She’s obviously retiring at the end of the year and she wants to go out with a bang and I think that was a perfect scenario for her today and I’m really, really pleased for her.”

Lathrope also praised the supporters for turning out “in such good numbers” and felt five goals was the “minimum” his side deserved, but believes their performance can improve.

“I think it’s fair to say on reflection, I’m sure I echo the players’ thoughts that there’s more in us,” he said. “I’m really disappointed to concede the goal because we’ve been looking really assured at the back and we haven’t looked like conceding a lot lately.

“I think the open play as well got a little bit bitty at times, the ball was off the pitch more than it was on it second half and that doesn’t suit us.”

The hosts sought to start quickly and Annie Rossiter and Ward both had early attempts from Baptiste’s crosses from the right.

The Golden Girls’ efforts were finally rewarded on the half-hour when Rossiter fired home from close range.

Ward got off the mark from the penalty spot six minutes later after Poppy Wilson had been fouled by Bridgwater keeper Connie Kleckzkowski.

Lathrope made four changes midway through the second half, including giving a debut to 17-year-old Araya Dennis who has joined the club in a dual-sign agreement from Arsenal.

It was fellow Gunners loanee Ellie Head who set up Ward’s second after 84 minutes with a cross from the left which the striker volleyed home.

Beth Everson pulled one back in the last minute of normal time, but the scoring wasn’t finished as Ward completed her hat-trick from a Dennis cross before turning in a deflected strike from Faye Brough to round off a frenetic finale.

Tomorrow's big game at the home of Wealdstone FC kicks off at 7.45pm.