Worthing Women: Hero Woods is spot on

Worthing Women came from 3-0 down to take their League Cup tie at Camden Town to penalties, where goalkeeper Sian Woods made a pair of decisive saves in the shootout.

After experiencing a dry spell in front of goal at home to Sutton United seven days ago, Manager Jesus Cordon shuffled his pack to bring back the trio of Nicole Mackay, Kendall Varitek and the available again Skye Birkinshaw. Paige Baker-Carroll dropped down to the subs’ bench initially, alongside Hattie Rainey and Ludmila De Sousa.

Facing a side a division below them but with a 100% league record, the visitors took the game to their hosts during the early exchanges. Birkinshaw’s pace took her clear on the left, only for her cross to flash across the eighteen yard box with no one there to convert it.

Two minutes later, Ruby Melis conceded possession to Andrea Chan, with the former Islington Borough forward supplying Ice Kamara who curled wide of the target.

Clear-cut chances proved hard to come by for a while, until Kamara kept her cool to rob ‘keeper Woods and slot into an unguarded net, midway through the first-half.

Town, a team only beaten once in all competitions in 2026-27 - and that was at two-division higher Saltdean United in the FA Cup - rapidly gained confidence. Substitute Hannah Goffi combined with top scorer Maya Brueckner, to slip her teammate in for a shot which was confidently repelled by Brighton & Hove Albion loanee Woods. Chan unable to keep her effort down on the rebound.

Riding out the storm, a red Skye broke out when the Worthing winger fired in a deflected delivery that Mackay headed goalwards, netminder Maelie Rance kept out and a defender on the line cleared away from Varitek following up.

A brilliant diagonal pass by Neve McEvaddy then picked out Jess Richardson in the danger zone but Rance rebuffed at the expense of a corner.

Woods earned her corn once again, courtesy of a fine stop to prevent the partnership of ex-Lewes and Steyning midfielder Goffi and Brueckner from bearing fruit, shortly before the break.

Although the latter wouldn’t have to wait long to double the homesters advantage, as Woods uncharacteristically spilled the ball to present Brueckner with a simple opportunity to maintain her goal-a-game ratio
There was still time for an opening to fall to Annie Gracey in the ‘d’ but the Rebels attacker drove her attempt the wrong side of the post.

No sooner had the second period got underway than the visitors were staring down the barrel of a cup upset. An excellent through ball from the halfway line released replacement Amelia Shiner to calmly slot past the exposed Woods and seemingly put the game to bed.

Three short minutes later though, Rainey, part of a triple change at the interval along with De Sousa and Megan Gates, caused problems via a left wing corner that Sanaa Williams could only nod over the line amid her efforts to clear it.

Not long after the hour mark, a lack of bodies in the box cost the travelling Reds a go at pulling another goal back, thanks to Rance parrying Mackay’s long-ranger but with no red shirt close enough to capitalise.

Continuing to apply the pressure, within a matter of seconds Rainey sent in another troublesome flag-kick which resulted in Rance pulling off an incredible save to deny Captain Sophia Wickenden.

Then the woodwork came to Camden’s rescue, as De Sousa struck a piledriver that smacked against the crossbar from twenty-five yards.

Shortly after that, Worthing were also thanking the apparatus when Swede Minja Nilsson’s corner brushed the face of the same part of it.

A lowly four minutes were left on the clock at the moment Melis’ high ball into the box was glanced narrowly past the upright by Richardson.

Two more than remained when Brueckner got the better of Cristie Pritchard on the right and ultimately found Shiner who stung the palms of Woods, as the Towners looked to seal their passage through to the next round.

Most people thought it was all over, only for Makcay’s sighter from distance to create concern for the previously unflappable Rance. The Camden Cat caught out and unable to prevent the ball creeping over the line.

Not that the drama ended there, far from it in fact.

Teenage kicks by Rainey -  and not the Undertones - saw the youth team graduate receive a crossfield ball from Richardson, find space through the inside right channel and even less of it to squeeze a well-struck shot between Rance and her front stick. Queue pandemonium in the Rebels’ dugout amongst players and management alike!

So, penalties would decide the outcome of this second round matchup and, after successful conversions by Mackay, centre-half Ella Terry, Pritchard, Rainey and sub Baker-Carroll for the guests, Sian Woods stepped up to apparently send Worthing through to a third meeting of the season with Premier Division leaders Brentford, by way of frustrating Shiner.

Only for the Reds breakaway from the halfway line, to celebrate with their number one, to be stopped in their tracks by the eagle-eyed referee’s assistant. Meaning a retake for Woods prematurely moving off her line.

Undeterred however, an identical outcome caused the party to restart, thanks to the teenage stopper denying the same player twice in quick succession and, finally, sealing the Sussex side’s route through to round three.

If that wasn’t exciting enough for you, a visit from Aylesford to the Sussex Transport Community Stadium this coming Sunday sees Worthing take on a team below them in the Prem standings by just goal difference, as the Reds return to league action.

Strap yourselves in, folks!!