(2019/20)
Hopes and Expectations
And Pre-season Friendlies

Exeter City Women will open their 2019/20 season in the FA Women’s National League Division One South West against Larkhall Athletic.

The fixtures for the new season were announced at 12pm on Tuesday, July 16 and have revealed that the women’s side will play their opening fixture at home on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

The side will get to grips with their new division with a busy September period which sees them come up against Poole Town, Buckland Athletic, Southampton Women and Chesham United.

Going towards the winter months the fixtures reduce with matches scheduled against Swindon Town and Southampton FC for November and December respectively.

Going into 2020, the women’s side kick off the new year with an away trip to Larkhall Athletic before facing a busy February in the reverse fixtures against the likes of Poole, Buckland, Southampton Women and Chesham.

The FA Cup and the FA WNL Cup rounds are scheduled to fit around the league campaign. The FA WNL Cup preliminary round kicks off on Sunday, August 25 and the FA Cup qualifying rounds begin in late September.

Looking towards the end of the season, the last home game for the City women is scheduled to go ahead on Sunday, April 26, before their final match of their league campaign is played out against Southampton FC away from home on Sunday, May 10.

Pre Season Friendlies 

Exeter 3 Argyle Ladies 8

7TH JULY 2019

ARGYLE ladies produced a devastating second-half performance to see off their Devon rivals Exeeter City in this second pre-season game.

Argyle were without Becky Dandridge, Ebony Dover and Kayley Lane, who are away on holiday but included 16 year-old Beth Everson from the Development team. Also travelling was another promising youngster in Kiara-Jade Robins and newcomer Holly Cole.

Argyle started on the front foot by taking a two-goal lead through Mollie Taylor and Helen Bleazard, only for Exeter to level the scores at half-time.

Despite the hot conditions, Argyle took control in the second half and regained the lead in the 53rd minute when Holly Cole finished off a fine move. Four minutes later, good work by Natasha Knapman led to her setting up Amber Pollock, who fired in at the near post.

It was 5-2 when Jessica Jones’ run and shot was parried into the path of Knapman, who made no mistake. Exeter had a brief respite when they converted a 70th minute penalty. Three minutes later, Danni Wyatt poked the ball in from 12 yards after being played in by teenager Everson.

Argyle weren't finished, as in the 80th minute, Pollock produced a neat touch and finish, leaving Jones to complete the scoring by chipping the goalkeeper from 20 yards.

Manager Dave Leonard said: “We can’t get carried away with the score but it was a really good game and Exeter were better than the score would suggest.

“It was a good 90 minutes which was what we needed and a good work out against a very good Exeter side, who have recruited well. We have got to get out of the habit of conceding sloppy goals down to our poor transition, that is one of the things I have to get out of us.

“There were good parts though, we scored five goals in the last 20 minutes, so our fitness was excellent. Bringing on young Beth Everson for her senior debut makes it something special. She came on and provided an assist for one of the goals, when you look at players like that ,the future is bright.

“I would like to thank Exeter for putting on the game and the hospitality they gave us.”

Argyle are back in action tomorrow (Sunday), when they travel to Bishops Lydeard, while the Development team visit Cheltenham Town.

Argyle squad: Trialist in goal, Faye Ivall, Katie Middleton, Mollie Taylor, Helen Bleazard, Jessica Jones, Amber Pollock, Leah Burridge, Natasha Knapman, Danni Wyatt, Ellie Bishop, Beth Everson, Kiara-Jade Robins, Holly Cole.

6th August 2019

Match Report:
Royal Wotton Bassett vs Exeter City

by Richard Paish 

South West Women’s Eastern Division Champions, Royal Wootton Bassett Town, upped their preparations for life in the SWWFL Premier League by hosting the champions of the division they would be moving up to, Exeter City The challenge was intensified as the home team was severely depleted, over half their first team was still on holiday and they were down to the bare bones. So much that the the only player joining joint managers Jonny House and James Goddard on the bench was the substitute goalkeeper.

Bassett got off to the worst possible start by conceding a goal that looked offside in the second minute and within 15 minutes were 6-0 down. The hosts very young team including four under 17 youth players and Bassett were unable to deal with Exeter’s pace and movement.

Due to the extremely muggy conditions both side were afforded two water breaks by the referee. It was after the first of these that Bassett had a rare attack on the opposition goal when Lisa Coe, one of the few first-teamers playing, played in Hayley Huckin who was unable to score.

Abi Footner had a busy afternoon in goal and made a couple of fine saves. There is very little she couldn’t have done to stop Exeter finishing the half 8-0 up.

Bassett brought on new goalkeeper Alice Farnell for the second half and she impressed.

The one bright moment for Bassett came halfway through the half as Huckin pulled one back with a well-taken goal

Exeter added another half dozen in the second half. Despite Bassett getting better they would have been relieved when the referee blew the whistle to signal a 14-1 victory for the visitors.

After the game I spoke to Bassett’s joint manager James Goddard who said “They are further into their pre season than we are, this is our first real game. We are not up to the speed or the intensity of Exeter. They are a really good side and played some good football. Its a good challenge for us and shows the level we need to be at.”

Files

Comments

Allowed tags: <p>, <a>, <em>, <strong>, <ul>, <ol>, <li>