FA Women’s National League Division One (South East)
Team: Francis-Pownall, Curr, McCrea, Hill, Blodgett, Lewin, Petit, Hennessy, Stanley, Akerman, Nygaard-Parsons
In the opening minutes, after the ball had bounced over Mya Francis-Pownall’s head, Renai McCrea was quick off the mark to chase back and put it behind. The ball was then belted just over the crossbar from the resulting corner.
Grace Stanley gave Rangers the lead with an excellent strike after six minutes.
Play continued after Renai McCrea had been fouled, which saw Katie Akerman then let fly from 25-yards, and the ball ended up in the keeper’s gloves.
Following an excellent Rangers move, Kasha Petit squared the ball into the six-yard box, but the keeper managed to get down and grab it.
This was a good spell for the R’s and a free kick deep into the box resulted in Emilia Nygaard-Parsons’ header going behind for a corner after Lauren Dolbear’s save.
However, soon after and despite the pressure from the home team, Worthing broke away and equalised, courtesy of Samantha Quayle.
The visitors went close to taking the lead when a shot closely evaded the upright.
Then, Mya Francis-Pownall did really well when she had to dive backwards to put the ball out. And, from the corner, the R’s keeper was forced to push it behind again.
Worthing were certainly now in the ascendancy and their next effort hit the crossbar.
Their lead came minutes from the interval when Danielle Rowe’s corner flew directly into the net.
There was still time for the visitors to add a third goal when Rebecca Bath headed in from a corner. Half-time: 1-3.
Rangers started the second-half well and Worthing had a player booked following a foul on Grace Stanley.
The visitors scored a fourth goal in the 70th minute after Rebecca Bath headed in from the edge of the six-yard box. And Steve Quashie brought on Jessica Harris at the expense of Emilia Nygaard-Parsons.
And shortly after that, Izzy Owen replaced Katie Akerman.
On 82 minutes, following some on-field attention, Mya Francis-Pownall had to be helped off. Alice Curr took her place in goal and Grace Shephard came on. Also introduced was Frankie Webster.
A dangerous low-ross from the right was well defended by Grace Shephard and the threat was averted.
Alice Curr made a good stop after the visitors had burst forward.
Steve Quashie’s side then travelled to the New Croft Stadium in Haverhill,where the R’s faced Cambridge City.
Steve Russell