A second-half Ellie Smith header ensured a point for Norwich City Women as they faced off against a formidable Worthing side in the Women’s National League.
Norwich arrived at a wildly windy south coast on Sunday to face a newly-promoted and high-flying Worthing.
In a game of two halves, it was the home side who would have the wind in their sails in the first 45 minutes, getting off to the better start. A cagey opening spell saw few chances as the two sides sized each other up.
It would take an uncharacteristic error just inside 10 minutes to manifest the first chance of the game as Worthing pounced onto a loose pass across the box before firing narrowly wide of the post.
Norwich’s best chance of the half came just five minutes later. Megan Todd found Natasha Snelling with a neat pass just inside the area, but the angle was too tight for Snelling who couldn’t trouble Lauren Dolbear in the Worthing goal.
Worthing continued to cause problems with a series of testing balls into dangerous areas and in the 19th minute their efforts were rewarded. A bouncing ball in the box fell to the feet of forward Chloe Winchester who made no mistake, driving low into the bottom corner.
Norwich’s best efforts to respond were proving futile as a formidable Worthing defence continued to disrupt and frustrate right up to the half-time whistle.
The Canaries came out in the second half in a new spirit, conscious of the ‘wind advantage’ that now played into their hands.
Right off the bat, the two wide players linked up well as Alice Parker found Lauren Tomlinson with a lovely switch in the 47th minute, but the left-sided player couldn’t keep her effort on target.
Waves of Norwich pressure amounted to a series of corners that looked to cause Worthing some discomfort.
After asking a number of questions of the home side’s defence, it was a set piece that would eventually bring Norwich's game to life. Anna Larkins whipped a delightful corner from the left-hand side onto the head of Smith to score the equaliser.
Worthing were by no means out, as they almost responded immediately via a corner of their own, but the header was glanced wide of the upright.
Corners continued to be the method of effective attack as Smith came close to doubling her own and Norwich’s tally in the 77th minute but nodded just wide on this occasion.
Both sides would have a last-gasp attack in injury time.
First, Samantha Quayle was found via a lovely ball over the top in the 90th minute but couldn’t capitalise on the chance to test Sarah Quantrill.
Then, Norwich’s final chance would arrive in the 95th minute manifesting from an initial effort from Freya Symonds before Rachel Lawrence’s close-range follow-up was shown the offside flag to draw a conclusion to the contest.
Norwich will return to cup action next weekend where they will face Boldmere St Michaels in the second round of the FA Cup at The Nest.
Worthing: Dolbear, Young, Blakely, Palmer, Bridge (Andersson 62), Winchester, Rowe, Humphrey, Bell (Worsfold 89), Quayle, Bath
Subs not used: Dolding, Cooper, Linscer
Goals: Winchester (19)
Norwich City: Quantrill, Parker, Flye, Todd, Smith (Lawrence 87), Snelling (Symonds 79), Larkins, Knights, Morran, Tomlinson, Strauss
Subs not used: Daviss, Hailes, Shaw
Goals: Smith (53)
Bookings: Knights (79)