Tash Knapman previews the historic cup tiebreaker

Exeter City Ladies’ star striker Tash Knapman is eagerly anticipating the side’s FA Women’s Cup fixture against Brislington, which takes place at St James’ Park this Sunday.

The 21-year-old sharpshooter joined the Grecians from rivals Plymouth Argyle at the end of October and has been in fine form ever since.  The Ladies usually play home fixtures at Coronations Fields, the home of Topsham Town, but Tash is looking forward to making her first appearance at the Park and featuring at a bigger and better venue than normal.

“I played for Plymouth at Home Park last year against Tottenham, who I support,” said Tash.  “That was the game that would have saved us from relegation, but we lost 4-1.  I scored, which was good against Tottenham and I think we had over 300 people there.

“So playing at Home Park was good, but I’m really excited to be playing at St James’ Park.  It’s just great to be going in the proper changing rooms with proper showers and stuff like that, which we’re not used to.  Let alone playing on a really nice pitch, so I’m really excited.

“I’ve played in the FA Cup third round before with Plymouth, away at Derby where we lost 2-0.  But I hope I can get far now with Exeter.”

At a glance, the gulf between the clubs looks insurmountable for the visitors.  Exeter play in the South West Combination, and Brislington play three divisions below in the Somerset County Division One.  However the Foxes romped their division last term by winning all 16 league fixtures in their inaugural season, and have continued by triumphing in their first five games this year – so the girls won’t be underestimating their opponents.

“We’re going to go and play the best we can.  Obviously we’re quite nervous though.  It’s always hard when you don’t know much about a team.  But we’ll be up for it, and adding in that we’re playing at St James’ Park, everyone’s going to be that bit more fired up.”

Tash had to watch on from the sidelines last weekend as Exeter Ladies defeated their rivals from Plymouth on penalties in the Ambassador Cup.  She scored twice for the Grecians when the sides drew 3-3 in the league last month, but she was cup-tied for the visit of the Pilgrims.

“I’d prefer to be playing every weekend,” she continued.  “I was really disappointed not to be able to play against Plymouth.  But hopefully that means I’ll be fresher and even more up for playing next weekend in the cup.”

Tickets for the Flybe Stand to see the FA Women’s Cup first round match against Brislington are available for just £3 for adults, £2 concessions and £1 for children, and kick-off is at 1pm. 

Exeter Ladies 7 Brislington Ladies 0

9 December 2012

Girls triumph in FA Cup at SJP

Exeter City Ladies booked their place in the FA Women's Cup second round for the first time with a 7-0 victory over Brislington Ladies.

City dominated the first half but only took a single-goal advantage into the interval.  But they came out all guns blazing after the break and eventually ran out comprehensive winners.

Exeter started the brightest and Emma Redwood in particular was steaming forward from the right-back position.  After linking up well with Lola Garcia Sanchez, Redwood fired a cross into the path of Tash Knapman but her volley was parried out but Jordan Jones in goal.

However an opener was forthcoming, when Redwood was involved again.  The right-back fed the ball to Catherine Wright and continued running on – Wright used the dummy run to find space and thrashed a shot from outside the box which beat the outstretched arms of Jones.

The lead may have doubled in spectacular fashion when Sanchez escaped down the right flank and crossed from the byline.  Captain Kirsty Caunter made firm contact with her volley but could only steer wide.

Brislington were finding chances limited as the Grecians were retaining the ball well, but Maxine Coupe had to be alert to rush off her line to deny Sophie Whelan, who had been released into the right channel.

Sanchez was having plenty of joy down the right wing and found Caunter again with another low cut-back, but the midfielder’s shot rattled the underside of the crossbar and bounced just the wrong side of the goal-line.

A majority of play was coming down Exeter’s right, but Natalie Shenton did well to cut inside from the left flank and struck a goalwards.  However her effort spun wide of the far post and out for a goal-kick.

Despite failing to create many clear chances, Brislington’s front line were showing plenty of endeavour and keeping Tamsin Tully and Kate Hine honest in the heart of defence – and the pairing were dealing with the threats well.

The midfield trio of Caunter, Wright and Leah Brooks were also mopping up anything loose in the centre of the park and distributing positively.

And for all their dominance, Exeter couldn’t seem to find a second goal.  Caunter swung over a free-kick towards the far post and the onrushing Marika Ghiglia met it was a header, but it cleared the crossbar.

Half-time: Exeter City Ladies 1 Brislington Ladies 0

The Grecians looked keen to open the scoreline to reflect their early dominance, and came out firing in the second half.

Shortly after the interval, Knapman opened a buffer by pouncing on a corner from close range to double the scoreline.

Manager Steve Tully rung a couple of changes, with Leah Brooks and Natalie Shenton making way for Dani Garland and Carla Staddon.

A third was forthcoming, as Staddon’s first contribution was to nick the ball away from the goalkeeper, shield the ball, and pick out Caunter inside the area.  The captain pinged a decisive shot into the back of the net.

The result was put beyond reasonable doubt when Knapman netted a second in similar fashion to her first, as her predatory instincts took over in the six-yard box as she lashed in a fourth for City.

Lola Garcia Sanchez also got a goal that her bright performance deserved soon after, when Marika Ghiglia escaped down the left flank.  After the full-back made a great interception, she bombed on and delivered to the far post into the path of the forward who was arriving at the far post, and she struck into the roof of the net.

Caunter then added her name to the scoresheet for a second time by hitting a strike on the bounce which bamboozled the goalkeeper and nestled in the corner.

Then substitute Sophie Lou Simpson, on for Lola Garcia Sanchez, netted her maiden goal for City after being released.  After riding a challenge, she hit a left-footed effort which Jones couldn’t keep out.

And that’s the way the match ended, seeing the girls through to the second round of the FA Women’s Cup for the very first time.

Full-time: Exeter City Ladies 7 Brislington Ladies 0

Exeter City Ladies: Coupe; Redwood, Tully, Hine, Ghiglia; Wright, Brooks (Garland), Caunter; Garcia Sanchez (Simpson), Knapman, Shenton (Staddon).

Subs (not used): Maryan, Griffiths.

Goals: Knapman (2), Caunter (2), Wright, Garcia Sanchez, Simpson.

Brislington Ladies: Jones, James, Osborne, Plummer, Whelan, Gunter, Hodgson, Hatton, Reardon, Milkens (Moran), Moore (Preddy).

Subs (not used): Pursell.

Referee: Maaren Olander

Attendance: 162