Match Preview by David Gribble 

Exeter City Women head to Portsmouth on Sunday to face newly promoted Moneyfields with the Grecians looking to build on an excellent first weekend to the season and maintain their top spot in the division.

Sunday’s fixture will be the Moneys first of the campaign after Maidenhead United were unable to fulfill their scheduled opener. An unbeaten 2021/2022 season saw the Hamsphire club claim the title over Abingdon United and set them up for a first season in Tier four.

Manager Karl Watson has recruited heavily in the summer, with over thirty players now registered at the club. Bekah Tonks, Tamsin De Bunsen and Jade Widdows signed from Portsmouth whilst Lavinia Nkomo, Beth Burgess, Sophie Phelps, Kau’lnohea Taylor and Lucy Nightingale complete the summer arrivals. Kim Whitcombe and Emma Pinner were the Moneys main goal threats last season and will no doubt offer a threat to the Grecians backline on Sunday. Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s side began with a comprehensive victory over Keynsham last weekend, Sarah Stacey hitting a hat trick in a seven-goal win. With the south coast such a dominate part of this season’s division, this is one of many journeys along the A303 for City and they will hoping to make it a successful first trip on Sunday.

Admission

Tickets are available on the gate for £5 adults, concessions free.

Travel

£20 coach travel, with limited spaces available.

Match Report:
by David Gribble
Moneyfields 1
City Women 1

Exeter City Women came from behind to claim their first point on the road, as a Rebecca Dandridge equaliser earned a 1-1 draw at newly promoted Moneyfields.

City nearly created the perfect opportunity within the first minute of the game, Sarah Stacey’s flick set Dandridge away, but as the midfielder went to strike, a well-timed touch on the ball was enough to prevent the chance on goal.

Dandridge was again involved shortly after, her free kick testing the handling of Moneys’ Goalkeeper Lauren Sayler. Phoebe Baker then tried from distance, but Sayler was again untroubled by the effort.

Manfy Sharpe made an important near post challenge from a deep Moneys cross, before a quick switch of play from Phoebe Baker should have been rewarded with more than a cross in to the side netting. Plenty of endeavor, but not enough quality to break the deadlock before half time.

A game that needed a goal would get one shortly after the interval, after a City challenge saw the ball ricochet to a Moneys forward, the low shot was saved by Abbi Bond, the follow up effort was then deflected into the net from an unfortunate City block and the home side were in front.

If the Moneys goal was scrappy, the Grecians equaliser owed as much to good fortune. After play broke down, Dandridge’s willingness to apply pressure on Sayler was rewarded when she pounced on an under hit back pass. The City midfielder slid in and sent the ball goalward, after an agonising wait to see if the ball was going to evade the backtracking defender, the official’s flag went up and the game was level.

The equaliser led to City’s best spell, Bow Jackson was heavily involved in generating some momentum on the Grecians right and with Baker, Dandridge and Watkins now controlling possession, the tempo was far more characteristic of Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s side.

Frustratingly, City could not capitalise on this good spell and, as the game drew to a close, it was Moneyfield who had the best chance to win it. Bond did well to palm away the initial corner but, as the ball dropped, the onrushing forward headed her effort onto the crossbar.

This was a point gained for the Grecians, who, you could theorise, would have lost a game like this last season. Not an afternoon for the high possession football City like to play, but a battle and gaining such a point shows a good sign for the season to come. A fantastic start to life in the National League for the newly promoted home side, City can leave Eastern Road confident that plenty of teams hoping to be in the title race this season will find the Moneys just as difficult an opposition to face.