Exeter City 3-2 Marine Acaddmy 2 

Devon FA County Cup Quarter Final.

Exeter City Ladies progressed through the quarter-final of the Devon FA County Cup with a 3-2 win against Marine Academy Plymouth on Sunday 20th January. The fixture had been rearranged to take place at the University of Exeter's Topsham Sports Ground, following the previous weekend's postponement.

After a sticky first half, in which Lola Garcia Sanchez went closest by applying a delicate flick to a cross, the game kicked into gear after the interval. Natalie Shenton's persistence on the right-hand touchline saw her win the ball deep into opposition territory, and her pinpoint cross was turned in by the head of Tash Knapman. The lead was short-lived though, as a loose ball in the Exeter box was hit on the swivel to wrong-foot Maxine Coupe, nestling in the far corner and tying the scores up at 1-1. City captain Caunter re-established a lead for the Grecians after picking up a deflected shot, driving into the box, and drilling a shot which Laura Maquire could only flap a hand at in the Marine net. Moments later, Caunter's back-to-front ball released Knapman again, and she unselfishly squared for Garcia Sanchez to tap home unchallenged for 3-1. 

Exeter were pegged back to within a goal with a well-struck effort from the edge of the area with the clock running down, making for a nervy finale. But Exeter saw out the victory to progress to the semi-final of the competition, which will be completed by 17th March. After being beaten finalists in the tournament for the two previous seasons, City will be looking to finally lift the prize this season.