Match 20
8th February 2015
FA Women’s Premier League Plate QF
West Ham Ladies (Home)
Exeter City Ladies 1
West Ham United Ladies 3
Grecian Ladies knocked out of Plate by Hammers
After snubbing the Hammers’ early threat, the Grecians grew into the game and came close to opening the scoring when Lola Garcia Sanchez was released on the left with a lofted pass from Vicky Barter – however her lobbed effort was turned away from the far post by a recovering defender as it threatened to drop in.
And it was the visitors that took the lead – after some swift build-up play, West Ham found the back of the net first when Katie Bottom lashed a left-footed shot into the top corner.
A tight – but correct – offside decision denied the Hammers a second goal, and soon after the scores were all square again. Barter drew a clumsy and poorly-timed challenge just inside the box, and the referee pointed to the spot – Kirsty Caunter stepped up and slotted in coolly.
However parity didn’t last long and the Hammers again opened a lead by overloading down the right, and a cross-shot by Kelley Blanchflower somehow found its way inside the far post.
They opened a buffer before the interval when Stacey Little, gifted some space in midfield, had an audacious effort from 30 yards. It cleared the leap of goalkeeper Carley Barber and nestled into the net.
Chances were few and far between after the interval, with neither goalkeeper being truly tested. A defensive line, marshalled by centre-halves Catherine Wright and Kate Hine, kept the visiting attack largely at bay. However the Grecians’ forward trio of Tash Knapman, Lola Garcia Sanchez and Chloe Williams – on as an early sub for the injured Sophie Simpson – were kept quiet by a stubborn rear-guard.
City’s best efforts came as Garcia Sanchez cut in off the left, but a low shot was saved before another effort was struck wide after taking a bobble off an uneven surface.
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