Exeter City Ladies 5
Shanklin Ladies 2

Sunday 23rd March 2014

Exeter City Ladies stormed to a sixth win in all competitions on the bounce to keep up the chase for the South West Women's Combination league title, as Shanklin were put to the sword with a 5-2 victory in Topsham

The Grecians have not dropped a point in the league since mid-November, winning all six league games since by an aggregate scoreline of 28-7. This weekend they travel to Chichester, who would be sitting in a comfortable second-place in the table if not for a points-deduction - they lost their first league fixture of the season last weekend, a 1-0 defeat at Forest Green.

Helen Kukor continued her good goalscoring form early against Shanklin, as Josie Copp's perfectly-weighted pass dissected the defence to allow the forward to finish coolly. But the guests from the Isle of Wight were level soon after, as a failed clearance gave away a cheap corner, which was eventually bundled in at the back post.

But a rejig with the same personnel allowed Exeter to quash Shanklin's threat, and City went into the break 3-1 ahead as Tash Knapman held up well to allow Kukor to wnggle through and get a second, before Knapman got on the scoresheet too when Vicky Barter won the ball high and played in the forward.

More of the same followed after the interval and Knapman grabbed her second, before Kukor completed a hat-trick - Shanklin did reduce the arrears, as the goalkeeper made a good save from Lola Garcia Sanchez which allowed the visitors to counter swiftly and get their second.

The only sour note was injuries sustained to the two forwards - Kukor had to be replaced with 15 minutes remaining after getting mild concussion from receiving a ball in the face after she had been brought down, before Knapman was hacked down recklessly when she had been released to score what would have been a hat-trick goal. The defender received her marching orders, but the City player was left with a nasty knee injury that could keep her sidelined - we wish her a speedy recovery.

Exeter City Ladies: Bradford, Potts, C.Wright, Hine, Ghiglia, Brooks, Copp, Barter (Caunter), Knapman, Kukor (Staddon), Garcia Sanchez.