Albion 3 Watford 1: Murphy makes the difference

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Striker scores twice as Albion come from behind in the Subway Players Cup.

Bruce Talbot

2026-11-11T21:40+00:00

Emily Murphy made it 3-1 by chipping the Watford keeper. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Emily Murphy scored twice as Albion came from behind to beat Watford and improve their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the Subway Players Cup.

Despite dominating possession Arturo Ruiz's side found themselves behind at the break to a brilliant solo goal by Tianna Teisar.

But two goals in 11 minutes by Murphy and substitute Olivia Garcia put Albion in front and Murphy’s cheeky chip over the keeper made it three wins out of four.

It leaves Albion fifth in the table with two games to go away to London City Lionesses and Southampton. The top eight go through.

There were eight changes to the team that were beaten by Spurs on Sunday and Albion made a confident start and should have scored in the early stages.

Emily Murphy celebrates her second goal in Albion's win. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Watford keeper Safia Middleton-Patel blocked Olaug Tvedten’s shot with an outstretched leg, Gabby George headed wide with only the Watford keeper to beat and Taylor Warren found herself with only Middleton-Patel to beat but shot straight at her.

So it was against the run of play when Watford took the lead. There had been a warning when Watford pressed and won the ball back and Melina Loeck made a fine save to deny Karin Muya.

There seemed little danger when Tianna Teisar picked up a clearance 20 yards inside her own half and ran towards goal. Albion backed off, Teisar slipped past Caitlin Hayes and as Loeck came out to narrow the angle she lifted the ball over her into the net.

Emily Murphy made it 1-1 with her second goal of the season. 📷Kyle Hemsley

Tvedten had two more efforts before the break but Albion’s final action lacked quality and that pattern continued until the 58th minute when Watford gave the ball away and it fell to Murphy to fire it past Middleton-Patel from 12 yards.

By then Ruiz had started to use his bench and one of the substitutes made it 2-1 11 minutes later. Gabby George swung in a cross from the right and Garcia’s header found the bottom corner, although the final touch may have come off a defender.

Emilie Gay and Caitlin Hayes attack a corner. 📷Kyle Hemsley.

Loeck made a good save to deny Muya when Watford threatened on the break but Murphy made it 3-1 with a superb goal seven minutes from time. She sped clear of her marker and as Middleton-Patel came out lifted the ball over her into an empty net.

Albion: Loeck, Gay (Garcia 59), Auee, Hayes (Mpome 86), George, Rayner, Walti (Olislagers 46), Joramo (Symonds 59(, Warren (Krezyman 59), Tvedten, Murphy.