Alessia Russo scored Brighton & Hove Albion’s first goal at FA WSL level but Ashleigh Goddard’s equaliser secured a point for London Bees as the Spring Series got under way.
Russo, who joined from Chelsea in the off-season, cut in and fired a fine shot into the top corner in the first half to give the visitors a dream start.
But Goddard’s powerful header at the back post ten minutes after the break ensured the Bees would not start with a loss.
“We went in all guns blazing for our first match in the WSL and it was a bit like an FA Cup clash at times,” said Russo.
“We've got to keep going, doing what we're doing, and working on some of the little things which didn't work as well.”
Jade Richards may have scored a rare goal but the Aston Villa defender says she is not completely satisfied, after Watford almost salvaged a point in their 3-2 victory.
Tash Baptiste, Beth Merrick and Richards put Villa 3-0 ahead in a dominant display, but Watford responded with two late goals from Anneka Nuttall and Charlotte Kerr.
Villa sit top of the nascent WSL 2 Spring Series table on goal difference but Richards says there is much work to be done despite the impressive start to the campaign.
“I’m glad to have got myself a goal – but I’d have swapped that for a clean sheet because it’s my job to stop goals,” she said.
“It was difficult for us after they got it back to 3-1 because they had momentum. They got themselves on top and it was hard for us to get our rhythm.
“Sometimes last season it took us 20 minutes or so before we started creating chances but today we were well on top in the first 25 minutes when they only had a handful of attacks.
“We could have had three, four or even five in the first half considering the chances we created.
“We are disappointed with the goals we conceded – the quality of them. It wasn’t that they tore us open. They’ve scored from two set-pieces that have eluded us.”
Elsewhere, the in-form Simone Magill continued her return from injury in style as it took her just 13 minutes to find the back of the net in a 2-1 win against Oxford United.
Oxford found a way back into the match late on through prolific powerful forward Ini Umotong, FA WSL 2’s top scorer last season, but the Toffees clung on to win.
Sarah McFadden’s first-half goal was enough to give Durham an opening-day triumph over Millwall.
The former Sunderland star crashed a header from Beth Hepple’s corner against the bar but reacted quickest to turn it into the back of the net.
Millwall pushed forwards after the break and went close through Ashlee Hincks but the hosts held on for a morale-boosting win.
Meanwhile, Sheffield and Doncaster Belles’ highly-anticipated South Yorkshire derby was postponed due to poor weather.
