Sunday 11th March 2007

Westward Developments Devon Womens League Cup Semi-Final

Barnstaple 2 Exeter City 4
(after extra time)

Exeter City COE manager Steve McLear admitted he was "lost for words" after watching his Devon Women's League Division Two side dump Premier Division leaders Barnstaple out of the League Cup. The Grecians side started the semi-final tie as firm underdogs but they made light of that tag, sending the North Devon side crashing to a 4-2 defeat after extra-time.

McLear said: "I was lost for words - the girls' performance was amazing - the best they have been all year. We have now knocked out three Premier Division sides and to knock out Barnstaple - a team flying at the top of the league - is a dream.

"I can't praise the girls enough, this is our first season together and we are still on for a double. Interest is growing all the time and we had 22 girls at training the other night."

The Centre of Excellence side had to come from behind, with Sophie Anderson scrambling them level midway through the first half. Early in the second period Emma Jones fired an unstoppable left foot shot past the keeper to make it 2-1.

Barnstaple hit back, though, and a leveller from a set-piece forced extra time. That was the cue for the Grecians to up the tempo and Mandy Earle and Lola Sanchez netted spectacular goals to send them through. Either Dawlish Town or Totnes & Dartington await in the final.