Worthing Women undone by Sutton’s second-half show
Despite creating plenty of chances it was just one of those days in front of goal for Worthing Women as they were edged out by Sutton United in their latest London and South League Premier Division clash at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
Just three days after losing 4-1 at Dorking Wanderers, manager Jesus Cordon made a couple of changes as Ruby Murdock and Paige Baker-Carroll were promoted from the subs’ bench, swapping places with Kendall Varitek and Nicole Mackay. Holly Zorn was the latest U18s player to earn a spot in the squad.
The visitors – following in the footsteps of Sutton’s men’s team, who’d won at Woodside 24 hours earlier – made their intentions clear right from the off, pressing the Rebels' rearguard to force a mistake in the opening seconds. Fortunately, captain Sophie Modak’s shot went straight into the hands of Sian Woods.
Worthing carved out their first opportunity when the ball broke nicely for Georgia Glover on the left. The teenager tore down the wing before picking out Annie Gracey, with Lizzy Knight in the United goal pushing her effort over the bar.
Soon Gracey charged through the inside-right channel and stung the palms of Knight once more. Then Emma Spear did something similar, only for Woods to stop her in her tracks.
A great chance presented itself to Baker-Carroll shortly after the half-hour but the Reds forward sliced wide.
Openings continued to be created without either side able to capitalise. The latest from the South Londoners saw K’Shaela Buch-Waldron swivel and shoot, though off target, marginally outside the area.
Seven minutes before half-time, Spear drilled in a low cross that Burch-Waldron might have converted had she not lost her footing at the vital moment.
Excellent link-up work between Neve McEvaddy and Gracey enabled them to pick out Baker-Carroll, who could only find the side netting.
After the break Jess Richardson slipped in Baker-Carroll who was denied at close quarters by goalkeeper Knight.
Sutton went ahead when Burch-Waldron turned sharply in the box and fired brilliantly into the top corner.
Following a flurry of substitutions, the Rebels came within a whisker of levelling. On the hour, a superb McEvaddy pass from a central position out to the right flank allowed Richardson to fizz a delivery into the danger zone which the long legs of Nicole Mackay were unable to punish.
Five more minutes elapsed before Georgia Heasman almost marked her introduction via a set-piece. A free-kick by Sutton’s top scorer forced a fine, one-handed save from Worthing’s Woods. Emily Oliver converted the corner, only to be denied by the far-side assistant’s raised flag.
Goal No2 very nearly came from a cross-shot way out on the right touchline but Tess Allen could only watch her attempt crashed off the face of the bar.
Woods spotted the danger to come out and thwart a United attack before sub Naomi Bradley almost profited from a wonderful pass by Maddie Heavingham-Ford.
But Bradley did apply the coup de grace to bury fellow sub Georgia Heasman’s cross in the 95th minute.
Despite the defeat, it remains tight at the foot of the table. And after taking a break from league action with a trip to lower division but in-form Camden Town in the League Cup on Sunday, Aylesford, who are also near the wrong end of the table, make the trip to Woodside Road from Kent.