Ladies make a cup bid

EXETER LADIES FC play in their first of two cup finals this season tomorrow. They take on Women's Western League champions elect Cardiff in the Pat Sowden Cup near Bath.

Exeter have already beaten Cardiff twice this season but lost the crucial match that could have brought them the league title instead of their Welsh rivals. Prospective England international Annie Hesketh is set to return to the side which lost the last match against Cardiff and that poses a problem in the for- ward line. Leading scorer Annie was on international squad duty but regains her place on merit and the choice of a partner for her up front lies between her deputy, Penny Wilson, who did extremely well as stand-in, and second top scorer Bridget Thomas. Exeter will make a last minute decision on the final line-up as they also have a doubt over the fitness of midfield player Debbie Turner.

Exeter LFC: (from) B. Frayne, J. Tancock, T. Lake, F. Crispin, M. Bowne, D. Turner, J. Costello, M. Langman, J. Trott, A. Hesketh, B. Thomas, P Wilson, S. Trace, S. Yelland.


Match Report
Goalie foils Ladies

EXETER LADIES FC again failed to rise to the big occa- sion yesterday, losing 2-1 to Cardiff in the final of the Women's Western League Pat Sowden Cup.

Neither side could produce controlled attack- ing football on a dreadful pitch at Tunley, near Bath, but Cardiff adapted the better. They went 2-0 up through Gail Fortt and Sally Jones before Exeter began to play well. Leading scorer Annie Hesketh pulled a goal back for Exeter, who threw every- thing into attack in the last 10 minutes.

But Welsh international goalkeeper Karen  Jones, who had an outstanding game, kept Cardiff's noses in front and made sure they lifted the cup to go with the league title they are so close to clinching.