Exeter City Ladies 1
Lewes Ladies 3

Lewes triumph in FA Women’s Cup clash

Exeter City Ladies were knocked out of the FA Women’s Cup in the second round at the hands of Lewes Ladies, who were 3-1 winners in Exminster.

Lewes, playing a tier higher than Exeter in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern division, played some well-controlled football from front to back and picked off a Grecians team that wasn’t at its best.

The Rooks had had chances even before they took the lead after less than ten minutes, as some nice build-up play through the thirds allowed forward Sian Heather to strike from inside the area.

City tried to respond, and a good cross from Helen Kukor was almost turned in by Tash Knapman, but the header was just off target.

And around the half-hour marked, it was the visitors who struck again – Tash Wells hammered from distance and it needed tipping onto the bar by Carley Barber, by Kirsty Spice followed in the rebound to head in and give Lewes a two-goal advantage.

A much-improved Exeter took the game to Lewes after the break, and Courtney Butt drew a save from Alison Cowling after striking from outside the area.

Marika Ghiglia was booked for a late tackle midway through the second period, and from the resulting free kick Lewes scored their third of the game as Kelly Newton rose at the back post to head in a pinpoint free-kick from Katie McIntyre.

Exeter were reduced to 10 players shortly after, when two yellows for Corinne Potts in the space of three minutes resulted in her being shown a red.

City did manage to get a consolation goal when high pressure from the forwards allowed Lola Garcia Sanchez played a square ball into the six-yard box, and there was Knapman to tap in – but the goal proved academic as the Rooks held on to win a place in the third round.