Exeter Ladies 2-3 Swindon LFC

WFA Cup Round 2 

Exeter City Ladies were narrowly knocked out of the FA Women's Cup at the hands of Swindon Town Ladies last weekend, in a game that ended 3-2 and had all the traits of a classic cup tie.

The second-round match saw both teams take a lead and then squander it, a hat-trick, a red card, and plenty of full-blooded tackles, leaving the spectators at Devon FA's Coach Road ground full of admiration for their efforts. But it was the Robins who eventually came out on top. Within three minutes, Exeter were trailing as Kirsty Shell escaped on the left-flank to cross for Picton, who stole in to nod home at the near post. City levelled soon after though, as Leah Brooks' corner was headed back into the danger by Tash Knapman, and Caunter turned the ball past Robyn Levett to level.

City flew into a lead early in the second half. Caunter's corner was initially headed against the crossbar, but Knapman was typically alert in the area to hook an effort into the net to put Exeter ahead for the first time. But similarly, the Grecians' lead was short-lived. Picton, ever lively, broke clear down the inside-left channel and looped a right-footed effort over Maxine Coupe to restore parity once again. Late on, a burst of pace on the left-flank allowed Picton to beat the offside trap and break clear again. With options in the middle, the striker opted to shoot from a narrow angle, and the ball found its way over the line via the inside of the far post. Despite netting her hat-trick, Picton's afternoon ended in ignominy, as she was dismissed for kicking out at an opponent after being caught offside.

Manager Steve Tully said: "The cup tie had everything- chances, goals, a sending off. It was a great cup tie, but we're very disappointed to have lost. But there's a lot of positives to take it's good experience, we've had a good run, and it's the first time we've been to the second round of the FA Cup."

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS