Town took just seven minutes to make the breakthrough against Greenwich Borough in a display full of intensity, with an aggressive high press and some excellent combination play [Photos: Sophia Demetriades]

AS far as season openers go, Camden Town WFC can be more than happy with their afternoon’s work on Sunday: a clean sheet, three goals and three points on the road.

Town flew out of the traps from the opening whistle at Greenwich Borough, playing on the front foot with intensity, an aggressive high press and some excellent combination play.

It took Darren Smith’s side just seven minutes to make the breakthrough courtesy of a smart finish from summer signing Andrea Chan.

The striker, who lives in Finsbury Park, showed her goal-getting prowess last season when she finished as Islington Borough’s top scorer in the Premier Division of the Greater London Women’s League.

Stepping up a level to now showcase her skills in Division One North of the London & South East Regional Women’s League, the 24-year-old proved she is going to be just as clinical this term as she marked her debut with the opening goal at Chislehurst Glebe FC in Kent.

Town doubled their advantage inside 14 minutes. Greenwich were made to pay the ultimate price after failing to clear their lines from a corner when centre-back Sanaa Williams struck from close range.

It wasn’t long before Williams was celebrating her second, and Town’s third, of the afternoon.

On 24 minutes another dangerous corner caused more problems in the Greenwich box. A good effort from another of Town’s debutants, Minja Nilsson, proved too difficult for the goalkeeper to deal with, and Williams was on hand to capitalise.

Nilsson came agonisingly close to marking an impressive debut with a goal when her superb long-range effort crashed against the crossbar, while fellow summer signing Maya Brueckner also threatened, dragging a shot narrowly wide.

Minja Nilsson

With 10 minutes remaining, Maria Paz Vera saw calls for a penalty waved away by the referee as Camden pushed for a fourth.

In the end the score stayed at 3-0. But the celebrations were far from over as Town welcomed back midfielder Maxine Borden, who made her first appearance for the club since February following a knee injury.

Reflecting on a dominant and professional opener, Town manager Smith said: “I’m really pleased with both the result and the performance.

“We started the game exactly how we wanted to, on the front foot, aggressive in our press and playing with real quality and purpose.

“To come away with three goals, a clean sheet and three points is a very positive start, but the exciting thing for me is that I know there is so much more to come from this group of players.

“We’re still developing relationships, we’ve got players coming back and new players settling into the way we want to play.

“The standards that we’ve set ourselves are extremely high, so we won’t get carried away with one result.

“It’s a strong start and I’m proud of the players, but this team can get better, and I fully expect that we will.”

Having only signed for Town at the start of the week, Nilsson said she is quickly settling into her new surroundings.

“It was a really special feeling to make my debut for Camden, and to start with a win made it even better,” said the Swedish midfielder.

“From the moment I arrived, everyone at the club has made me feel incredibly welcome and I already feel very much part of the team.

“Playing in Sweden has given me a lot of experience and helped shape me as a player, but I’m really excited about this new challenge and about what we can achieve here at Camden.

“There’s so much quality in this squad and I really enjoyed being out there with my new teammates.

“I’m happy to contribute however I can and hopefully this is just the beginning for us.”

Town will now turn their attention to the Adobe Women’s FA Cup Preliminary Round, and a tough away day against Oxted WFC this Sunday. Kick-off is 4,30pm.