Having faced the top two in their opening two games of the campaign, there were a couple of changes to the side that took to the pitch against Brentford last time out.
Neve McEvaddy and Paige Baker-Carroll were introduced to the starting XI, having both come off the bench two weeks ago, while Ruby Murdock dropped down to the replacements alongside the returning Jess Richardson.
Ruby Melis and Jodie Freeman-Woods were the only duo from the previous match to be unavailable.
Reuniting a rivalry that last played out three years ago, it was the hosts who created the first opportunity of the afternoon. A delightful build-up from back to front ended with Amber Hazlewood driving in a low cross that Annie Gracey fired at Abby Baravik in the visitors’ goal.
That had occurred inside the opening minute, and it was only a short while later that more excellent approach work caused Baravik to breathe a sigh of relief when Sophia Wickenden fired narrowly over from range after the ball was played back to her.
Not that the Reds had things all their own way, as Sofia Harding needed to have her wits about her, tipping a fiercely struck effort by Maisie Joyce over the crossbar following Ciara Watling’s left wing free-kick.
Although Harding nearly blotted her copybook moments later; a high, hurried clearance coming back at her with so much backspin it presented a clear opening for Joyce, but she could only head agonisingly the wrong side of the near post.
Roared on by a vociferous travelling fanbase, the Lions showed even more bite thanks to Isabel Beckwith breaking into the box off the inside-left channel and curling a beauty onto the bar, to come within inches of putting her team in front.
A wonderful deep delivery off the trusty right boot of captain Holly Talbut-Smith then almost broke the deadlock up the other end. El Keegan’s precise touch saw Paige Baker-Carroll – on her maiden start of the 2026/27 season – force a fine save out of American shot-stopper Baravik.
Emma Squirrell almost went nuts when she slid in to put the ball out of play for a corner and prevented Hazlewood from profiting on the rebound.
Worthing’s number nine might have made more of Talbut-Smith’s through ball around the half-hour mark, only for Mississippi native Baravik to thwart her once again.
However, she made no mistake six minutes before the break; firing a free-kick around the wall to see the homesters take the lead for the first time this term, once Ella Bailey’s foul on McEvaddy had provided the opportunity.
There was still time though for Watling to nod powerfully goalward, only for her attempt to be met by the brilliance of Harding to leave the hosts with that precious advantage heading into the interval.
Hazlewood couldn’t quite keep her shot down, after Talbut-Smith’s long free-kick eventually came to her, as the second 45 got underway.
Unfortunately though, defensive uncertainty amid strong appeals for offside less than a minute later produced an equaliser. Kayda Townsend, unaffected by all the noise, marked her recent introduction by levelling the score barely 120 seconds after entering the action.
Watling’s set-piece then landed on the roof of the net as the South-East Londoners turned the screw.
Around the midway point of the second period, the cries of disbelief emanated from the visitors in blue; perturbed at a perceived injustice caused by the referee pointing to the spot following a handball.
Sadly, a lengthy delay then ensued when ‘keeper Harding went down injured, for the second time in the match and with no substitute custodian on the bench, defender Sophie Richards donned the gloves.
Despite the extra tension that created though, Wickenden stepped up and confidently dispatched from twelve yards to open up a two-goal lead for the Rebels.
The final throes of an absorbing affair came close to causing home fingernails to be bitten, only for a superb last-ditch tackle by 16-year-old sub Marcie Skipp to stop Townsend in her tracks.
Four minutes into a minimum of an additional seven added on by referee Steve Weller looked like putting the seal on an impressive victory for the home team.
A switch of play from a central position to one on the right, courtesy of the (recently) introduced Ludmila De Sousa, saw fellow replacement Jess Richardson demonstrate some nifty footwork to get around three Millwall players, prior to teeing up the outstanding Gracey to finish with aplomb; drilling across the ‘keeper to put the game to bed.
Well, nearly.
Lily Price beat the offside trap in the ‘final’ minute of stoppages to supply Townsend again, and the striker didn’t need a second invitation to set the home nerves jangling.
They were very nearly shot to pieces when Ella Rutherford’s left flank dead-ball found substitute Georgia Harding loitering at the back stick, with ninety-seven on the clock, but she glanced a great opportunity wide of the target.
The final whistle blew, and cries of relief arrived from the home bench. The Rebels had picked up their first three points of the season in chaotic fashion, and now set their sights on an away trip to fellow Sussex outfit Newhaven Ladies next Sunday.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗