CITY LADIES CUP SUCCESS

Sunday 17th October 2004

Devon County FA Women's Cup - First Round

Exeter City Ladies 9
Okehampton Argyle 0

City comfortably beat their Devon Women's League Premier Division opponents in the first round of the Devon County FA Women's Cup. Exeter started the match very brightly and strode into a 4-0 lead in the first half and finished off Okehampton after the break. The Grecians went ahead after just three minutes through Mandy Earle, with a powerful shot from inside the area. The second goal came ten minutes later through Jo Goldsworthy, smashing the ball into the bottom corner.

Shortly after, Goldsworthy scored a second, blasting the ball past the keeper after a one on one set up by Rachel Edwards. City continued to dominate with Gina Court, Edwards, Goldsworthy and Earle all going close. Good build up play from the City midfield set up Earle to claim her second of the game, a powerful strike from 18 yards into the top corner. There was no let up the second half and City's fifth was a well taken goal by Stef Matthews, after a surging run and great cross from Edwards. Minutes later Gina Court, working hard on the wing, put in a well placed cross, and Matthews struck for her second of the day.

City continued pressing and Edwards scored with a superb strike into the top corner from 18 yards, to further increase City's lead. Soon after, Matthews scored her first hat trick for City, after good build up play. Goldsworthy then completed her hat trick, with a fine header over the goalkeeper, again after great work from Court on the wing. City continued pressing, with Court and Sally Ames going close, but were denied by the Okehampton 'keeper.

City manager Steve McLear said: "The tie was a potential banana skin for the team and although we didn't play our best football, we were comfortable winners.

'It was pleasing to see goals coming from various positions, and the three subs all had good games. It was nice to see Matthews score her first hat trick for the club, especially as it was her first time up front.

The team worked hard and at times played some neat passing football, and this should be a good confidence booster.

Paul F