Exeter City Women
2020/21 Season Recap
With the new season just around the corner, Exeter City Women's media-man David Gribble gives a recap of the end of last season's cup-winning team.
The conclusion of March was greeted with bad news, another curtailed season at National League Level and the prospect of the break from football lasting beyond the three months that had already been endured. However, the nationwide relaxation of restrictions for social groups did allow for a return to training and, within a couple of weeks, the mood was lifted as a return to competitive football was agreed. The Devon County Cup would go ahead and the motivation to win a trophy became a driving force before the summer break. Significantly, City were undergoing some off-field changes. Clive Watts stepped away from his role whilst convalescing from knee surgery, the announcement soon following that Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley would take over the reins. The duo wasted no time in adding to the playing squad as experienced defenders Mollie Taylor and Jaydee Seaman signed from Buckland Athletic and Plymouth Argyle, respectively. The Grecians returned to action in slick style, disposing of Feniton in Round One of the County Cup. Goals from Steph Beck and Mollie Taylor were accompanied by a hat-trick from Connie Pengelly. A friendly fixture against Callington was next up and City hit six this time. Goals from Robinson, Taylor, Watkins, Pengelly and Beck were upstaged by a late strike from Development Team graduate Jess Sandland in what was only her second appearance.
City would travel to Ivybridge to face Marine Academy for their Semi Final fixture. Two goals from Pengelly and one from Anthea Kaptein looked to have the Grecians cruising, before two late strikes from the Plymouth side set up a nervy finish prior to a place in the County Cup Final being confirmed.
Visiting Cardiff City Ladies were the friendly preparation before the Final and, as higher division opposition, offered a challenge to a team that had come back from lockdown so strongly. Showing the ability to compete against such strong opposition, City took the lead through Jess Sandland. Despite the game being level at half time, goals from Taylor, Baker and Kilburn-Thompson gave the Grecians a 4-1 lead, an advantage that would survive a late Cardiff fightback, as the game ended 4-3. The final game of a stop start season was to be the Devon County Cup Final. A final played against rivals Plymouth Argyle, no less. More higher division opposition and more success. Two first half goals from Esme Kilburn-Thompson saw City take the trophy, despite a late Argyle consolation, and finish the year on the highest of highs. Whilst many Clubs will have felt the return to football for a few weeks before the summer interval was a period that offered little chance to progress, for City, it was anything but. The new management team of Abbie and Aaron were able to implement their ideas and settle in two new signings with considerable success, both Jaydee and Mollie are players that have already considerably improved the group. Of the twenty goals scored by the Grecians in this end of season period, eleven came from players developed at Exeter City and under the age of eighteen. Young Forward Connie Pengelly finished the year as the Team’s top scorer and was awarded the Exeter City Women Supporter’s Club’s Player of the Season in a fan’s vote. City would win all five of their fixtures and finish with a Trophy, it really could not have gone much better. Off the pitch things continue to improve, a strength and conditioning coach, alongside a performance nutritionist, will be on board with the team this season, offering more professionalism to the group. Interest in the team has increased, with attendances up on previous years and the team even featuring on BBC Spotlight before the Cup Final.
The final cherry on top of the cake came a week after the victory against Plymouth, Captain Manfy Sharpe, Emily Toogood, Steph Beck, Phoebe Baker and Anthea Kaptein travelled to London to take part in the Neymar Jr Five’s Tournament and only went and won it! As the UK National champions, the City quintet will get the chance to fly to Brazil later in 2021 to compete in an international tournament. Exeter City players and an adventure in Brazil, an historical connection. The team returned to training in July, with all players retained from the end of the past season and some new additions likely. Momentum is a key factor in football and Exeter City Women’s Team have it in abundance. It looks set to be an exciting 2021/2022 Season.
A big thank you to Neill Richardson (@Falselights) for kindly providing the photographs for this article.
Manfy Sharpe reflects on the 20/21 season
Exeter City Women's captain on a frustrating season, Interview by David Gribble.
After a mixture of suspended play, fixtures behind closed doors and restrictions on training all coming over the past twelve months, it has been a frustrating time for Exeter City's Women’s Squad.
David Gribble caught up with Manfy Sharpe to get her thoughts on the Season that has been 2020/2021.
Appointed Captain in the summer, Manfy was acknowledged for her dedication and commitment to the Women’s set up at Exeter City. Joining the Club in 2016, she has been part of a group that continues to progress the Women’s game in the City and now has the responsibility of leading the current Squad.
Due to circumstances, this past season has been as much about off field leadership as on it, something Manfy recognises as not being easy: "It has been difficult to stay connected at times. We had a Zoom call every week to help with fitness, then every other week we have had another Zoom call for a quiz, games or general chat. It’s good to just chat and check in on each other. Once exercise was permitted outside with one other person, I know those who live closer together made the most out of that. Aaron organised a Strava group with a leaderboard so we could be competitive with our runs, it was a really good idea and kept us all connected.”
The return to football in recent weeks has seen a change in Management structure, as Clive Watts undergoes knee surgery and the lengthy convalescence that accompanies it. The appointment of Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley, as familiar voices, is a popular one. “I couldn’t be happier personally. They were a massive part of running the team before and they both know us all as individuals and players. They know our strengths and weaknesses and their high standards, goals and professionalism bring out the absolute best in players. It’s a shame Clive has had to take a step back though, we all wish him well and hope to see him back soon"
The League Season had started positively and, with the Grecians nicely placed in 5th, the hope was that the New Year would see a rise up the table. Sadly, those fixtures were curtailed as the Season ended early. However, Manfy is keen to take the positives from the campaign. “We had some really good results against tough opponents. We have had a proper taste of what this league is like now and learnt some important lessons on what we have to do to excel next season. I am grateful for every time I got to step on the pitch with the team this season and every training session we got to have, it was a chance to grow and that is a massive positive in itself.”
Thankfully, though League football will not return until the late Summer, competitive football has resurfaced in the form of the Devon County Cup. After victories over Feniton and Marine Academy Plymouth, City will compete in the Final against Plymouth Argyle on May 30.
With football's return, Abbie and Aaron chose to begin their Summer recruitment early with the signings of Jaydee Seaman and Mollie Taylor. “They are both huge characters within the group already. They offer natural leadership with great amounts of experience, which is what we need. It’s really good to have them onboard and they have settled in fantastically.”
After next Weekend's Final, all eyes will turn to next Season and the mood is positive for what can be achieved. “We have high ambitions for next season; we have the squad and capability to excel in this league if everyone applies themselves. Abbie and Aaron already have set plans in place that everyone is eager to be part of. There will need to be a lot of hard graft from all of us between now and then, but we all have the same vision, so I have no doubt everyone will work for it.”
With attendances considerably increased and visibility for the team improving, Manfy is excited to lead the Team into this next chapter. “The club have always been inclusive of the Women’s team, but particularly over the past two seasons, it really does feel like one club. We are grateful to everyone that comes to support us and cheer us on and our following is getting bigger. With the setup of an ECWFC Supporter’s Club and fantastic media coverage, the team is only going to get better.”
Player appearances and goals
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Apps
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Goals
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Phoebe Baker
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2020/21
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9
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1
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Georgie Barbour- Gresham
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2020/21
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1
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0
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Stephanie Beck
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2020/21
|
9
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2
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Abbie Britton
|
2020/21
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7
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3
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Rhiannon Dumper
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2020/21
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2
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0
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Phoebe Durkin
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2020/21
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5
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0
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Chloe Harris
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2020/21
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1
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0
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Sasha Henderson
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2020/21
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7
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0
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Anthea Kaptein
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2020/21
|
8
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4
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Esme Kilburn-Thompson
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2020/21
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9
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3
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Megan Lightfoot
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2020/21
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1
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0
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Ella-Mae Miller
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2020/21
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5
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1
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Kyanna Orchard
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2020/21
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6
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0
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Connie Pengelly
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2020/21
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9
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3
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Mia Preston
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2020/21
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7
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1
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Charley Prouse
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2020/21
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3
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0
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Megan Robinson
|
2020/21
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7
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3
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Manfy Sharpe
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2020/21
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9
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0
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Eleanor Sill
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2020/21
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3
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0
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Sophie Skilton
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2020/21
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0
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0
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Hope Suominen
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2020/21
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5
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0
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Emily Toogood
|
2020/21
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9
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5
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Zoe Watkins
|
2020/21
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5
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0
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