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Mason already impressing

Footballers can find it difficult settling in at a new club, having to adapt to new surroundings and styles of play can ultimately prove burdensome to players during their debut season. Arriving from a club where game time is limited harbours an even greater challenge but, for Watford’s Ellie Mason, the transition has been seamless.

 

The 19-year-old has had an ineffable start to life in the Watford first team, now scoring twice in two starts against Aston Villa and Millwall Lionesses respectively. The former proved to be decisive, earning the Lady Hornets their first win of the season with a stunning volley.

 

The forward is back on the books at Berkhamsted after three years away at Women’s Super League One leaders Chelsea. With six goals in 23 appearances for the Blues’ development squad, Mason is hoping she can continue her improvement as a player with increasing opportunities:

“Chelsea gave me lots of good experience, from playing with quality players to the coaches and facilities. However, it was time to move on with a chance to play at a high standard in Women’s Super League Two. They’ve definitely helped me get to this level, now I have got to show what I’m about and perform every week.

 

“It was definitely the best opportunity I have had in a long while. I am happy that I’ve come to a club with a good standard of football and am looking forward to continue being involved in the first team.”

 

Since arriving, Mason has participated in 222 minutes out of a possible 270 and her impact on the team has been apparent, with the side having scored four goals in the last three games.

 

Two of those came in the last outing where John Salomon's side travelled to Harlow and ran Millwall close. The manager would have been pleased with the character on displayer, challenging the South London outfit throughout before succumbing to an entertaining 3-2 loss.

 

A debatable penalty decision saw Naomi Cole open the scoring from the spot before Rosella Ayane doubled their advantage through a header. Mason unleashed a stunning effort from 30-yards to reduce the deficit although the home side ultimately restored their two goal cushion from another set piece, when Hincks’ free-kick found the net. Substitute Anneka Nuttall narrowed the game once more before an off the ball incident saw the striker sent off.

 

Two goals will remain the positive from the fighting performance, however, extending her goalscoring form does not distract the striker from the pressures of climbing up the division:

 

“My job is to score goals and try and help the side as much as I can, unfortunately we couldn’t get an equalizer against Millwall. It was a very frustrating game and there is no way we should have lost it. Everyone put in a shift, it was a tough game but we should not have come away without any points.” proclaimed Mason.

“I think we’ve got a lot more to come, today didn’t go our way but in other games we will show what we’ve got. We’ll work hard, play as a team and hopefully the results will come.”

 

Having moved off the foot at the table at the expense of London Beens, the Golden Girls will be hoping to improve their position over the coming weeks and months. The upcoming task for Warford comes in the form a Yeovil side that are now unbeaten in five league meetings. The Glovers have scored an impressive 14 goals during this run, propelling the club to third in the table, however, Mason is confident that Watford’s improving defense will help accumulate a vital three points.

 

“If the defenders are playing well them it does help the strikers, they can play it forward to us. We’ve got a lot of confidence in the backline, we know that they’re going to be strong at the back if we’re in danger. Everyone throughout the team always gives 100% effort every game so you can’t ask for more.


“I think we can finish at least fourth or fifth, we’ve been playing well in recent weeks and we have still got a lot more to show. All the girls are great footballers, when we are on form we’ll be tough to beat.”

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