FINE START LIFTS CITY TO VICTORY

WOMEN'S FOOTBALL

EXETER City Ladies made a flying start to the new season, hitting visiting Cheltenham Town with a three-goal blast in the opening nine minutes on their way to a 4-2 victory at Cullompton in the South West Women's Premier Division

Emma Redwood opened the scoring on two minutes for Stove McLear's side when she was quickest to react to a parry from the Robins' goalkeeper. Sally Ames (photo) doubled the lead for rampant City on six minutes be fore Natalie Matthews struck home a free-kick to put the vis itors firmly on the rack. The lead was up to four on 35 minutes when player of the match Redwood ran half the length of the pitch before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper Cheltenham pulled a goal back in the final minute of the opening period, and then another in the 6th minute, but despite the con solation strikes, McLear was well pleased by his side's opening day performance "It was great to hit the ground running with three goals in nine minutes," said City manager "We dominated the game against a big strong Cheltenham side,

"What pleased me most was that we were able to match them physically We scored good goals and Emma Redwood, in particular was superb"

• Meanwhile, the Grecians are on the lookout for new talent. They train on Thursday nights at Cullompton Rangers FC. Any body interested in coming along should contact Steve McLear