Manchester City are the first side through to the last sixteen of the SSE Women’s FA Cup but took over an hour to breakdown a Watford side from two leagues below before winning 3-0.
Helen Ward had the first shot of the game for Watford but it was well held by Karen Bardsley.
A Keira Walsh half-volley was tipped over at full stretch by Weronika Baranowska, the Hornets’ keeper then saving from Jess Park at the near post.
Pauline Bremer’s header from Clarie Emslie’s free kick came back off the visitors’ crossbar and soon after Bremer missed a chance from Melissa Lawley’s cut-back.
Bremer thought she had made the breakthrough 6 minutes before the interval but up went the flag for offside.
Park and Lawley had further opportunities before the break but the hosts were left waiting for the opening goal.
Ten minutes into the second half, following an effort by Park, Madeleine Hill cleared off the line.
Nikita Parris came off the bench and not only took just 7 minutes to get City in front but struck again on 69 minutes when sweeping in a pass from Park.
Fellow substitute Tessa Wullaert tried to get in on the act but her well placed shot was matched by the Watford keeper.
Baranowska denied Parris three times in quick succession when the forward was through one-on-one, Hill’s interception also preventing Parris from completing her hat-trick but Bremer slotted home the third with 4 minutes left from Park’s through ball.
The Fifth Round Draw will be broadcast live on the BBC News Channel during Sportsday (and also on BBC Sport website) from 6.30pm on Monday 4 February.
