Half-time substitute Amber Hazlewood bagged a brace as Worthing FC Women came from behind at the break to end level with Southampton Women in a six-goal thriller at the Sussex Transport Community Stadium, in their first pre-season friendly of 2026.
In fact, Hazlewood was one of just half-a-dozen familiar faces from last term, as a largely new-look Rebels took to the field at a sun-drenched Woodside Road.
It was a recognisable red that offered the opening opportunity of the afternoon; Eleanor Keegan, in the inside-right channel, finding debutant Paige Baker-Carroll who teed up the returning Skye Bacon for an edge-of-the-box shot that flew marginally off target.
The visiting Sirens responded immediately via Liv Glover’s burst down the left, all the way to the by-line where her low delivery was cut out by home skipper Holly Talbut-Smith. From the resulting corner, travelling captain Lucy Mear could only head straight into the hands of debut-making ‘keeper Sofia Harding.
Unfortunately for the hosts, the guests’ next attack would prove to be more accurate. Sophia Wickenden lost possession in midfield, giving the girl who dispossessed her licence to roam forward and fire in an effort that the luckless Harding got both hands to but not quite enough to prevent the ball from going in at the near post.
Moments later, Eva Coulter might have doubled the deficit had her long-range attempt not ended up inches over the crossbar.
Southampton, with a team who had clearly been together longer than their counterparts, then saw the incredible speed of Chloe Tedman take her to the by-line, only for Harding to deny her at her front stick.
Midway through the first half though, the Rebels’ failure to clear their lines did cost them a second goal; Dani Kjaer rifling home from close range to extend the travelling side’s advantage.
Shortly before the half-hour mark, Glover found the side-netting after she’d latched onto and advanced with a fine pass.
Skye nearly brought home some Bacon, at the end of some good link-up play involving Keegan and Baker-Carroll but couldn’t get the required purchase on her goal-bound attempt.
Further excellent approach work eventually concluded courtesy of Annie Gracie almost announcing her arrival to the home fans with a goal, only for a brilliant block in the box by Tedman to keep her out.
Manager Jesus Cordon made a quadruple-change during half-time; the aforementioned Hazlewood being introduced alongside three more new signings in the form of Ludmila Da Sousa, Neve McEvaddy and Georgia Glover.
Indeed, Da Sousa came mighty close to making an instant impact as she partially met the rapid Bacon’s low cross, allowing the usually defensive Keegan to side-foot over a presentable chance on her weaker left foot.
Not that the roasting Rebels followers had to wait much longer for interval inductee McEvaddy to show her worth by sending in the left-sided corner from which fellow debut-maker Sophie Rose rose to nod in a first of the afternoon for a revitalised Reds and put the home stars right back in the contest.
A little after the hour mark, Emma Watts, who had only been on the pitch a few brief minutes, played a perfect through ball for the ever-alert Hazlewood to take in her stride and slot home the equaliser.
However, within seconds the Sirens of Southampton were back in front. Glover’s pace proving problematic and she soon located the loitering Kjaer, whose first-time volley from a step outside the 18-yard area gave Harding in the home net no chance at all.
Mia Cattell, who had joined the action at the same time as Watts, then produced a superb close-range block to ensure Kjaer didn’t claim her second of an entertaining affair.
Finally, ten minutes from time, a wonderfully-worked move emanating from in front of their own dugout saw the quick-thinking of McEvaddy duly rewarded.
For it was her range-finder which led to Da Sousa, who had caused the opposing team enough trouble on her own, to slip in Hazlewood, who showed a cool head to steady, set and pick her spot to make it a deadly double for her and signal the end of a thoroughly absorbing match-up at three-a-piece.
Originally published by Worthing FC ↗