That scare negotiated, the Grecians doubled their advantage. Manfy Sharpe’s pass into Stacey was flicked over the top of the Selsey defence and Markham hustled in front of the defender before steadying herself and drilling low past Robinson.

Sensing a chance to kill the game, City began to ramp up the pressure once more. Watkins saw a shot saved, whilst a host of dangerous crosses were well marshalled by the Selsey backline.

With half time minutes away, the away side would get back into the game. Skye Bacon, who had an impressive afternoon for the visitors, delivered a dangerous cross that City failed to deal with on the initial contact. As the ball dropped for the lurking attacker, Jaydee Seaman made the block, before Bond saved the rebound. The referee deemed Seaman’s block to be with the hand and awarded a penalty, Maisie Guymer expertly dispatching the spot kick past Bond to make it ‘game on’ heading into the second half.

The Grecians felt aggrieved by the award of the penalty, but responded in the best way possible as the second period began. Mollie Taylor clipped a dangerous pass in behind the Selsey backline and the ever-willing Jenna Markham beat Robinson to the ball, poking it past her and into the unguarded net to restore the two-goal advantage.

If City were aggrieved over the penalty, Selsey would be equally unhappy with the Sin Bin of Amber Howden. However, despite being down a player, they fought back. A perfectly weighted pass behind the City defence found Bacon and she had plenty of time to calmly slot past Bond to narrow the margin once more.

The exciting nature of this game was to see another twist within minutes, Zuurmond tricking her way into the penalty area before Markham smashed the lay off into the top corner for her hat trick. The forward has been an integral part of the City attack this season and an afternoon of goals is just reward for that work.

City pressed for a fifth, creatively getting the ball to the edge of the Selsey box but perhaps guilty of over playing the final pass or not taking on the shot in good areas. Taylor’s clipped pass to Stacey saw her effort hit over as City finished the afternoon without any further scares on their goal, but unable to add to their two-goal lead.

These two teams served up an excellent game of National League Football once more, with goals, contentious decisions and quality play. For City, the win was the requirement of the day and they never looked likely to fail that objective once Watkins had given them the lead, despite the admirable spirit and effort of Sadie Blakely’s Selsey side. One more game to go, with all eyes on Cardiff City to see what the last game holds for the Grecians. One thing is for sure, they cannot do much more than they are currently doing.

And in the Reserve League

Keynsham 2-2 Exeter WFC Reserves 

Goals from Dani Skinner and Chloe Harris as the team gain a point on the road.

REPORT By Maxine Coupe

Exeter City Reserves travelled to Keynsham Town Development on Sunday April 16th, having not played since winning the  Women’s Senior Cup three weeks previous.

There were starts for youngsters Daisy Aylott-loader, who partnered Lucy Palmer in Central defence, and Chloe Kind who slotted into a midfield role.

It was a cagey opening 20 mins, with neither team able to settle into a rhythm. However, on 23mins striker Poppy Cloke held up the ball and played a side pass to Dani Skinner who shot from outside the area into the far corner for the lead.

On 33mins a corner was awarded to Keynsham and, with Exeter not organised in picking up there players, the ball fell to a Keynsham player who shot from outside the box and her looped effort beat Lucy Spiller in the Grecians goal to level the game. Just before half time Exeter took the lead. Spiller was quickly off her line to clear a Keynsham through ball, her long clearance fell kindly to Chloe Harris who lobbed the Keynsham keeper for a half time lead.

Exeter were creating plenty of good chances as the second half began, Chloe Kind heading into the path of Jemima Lister whose first time shot just went over the bar. A minute later Keynsham were on a counter and, with Exeter’s defence beaten, it was left to Spiller to make a fine save in a one on one situation to keep the Grecian’s lead.

Keynsham were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area on 70mins and the Keynsham forward, scorer of Town’s first goal, saw her effort just go wide of the back post.

A minute later Keynsham drew level, a through ball caught the City back line flat footed and the the pass was slotted past Spiller for the equaliser.

Exeter were full of energy with the substitutions and forward Lilly Burton causing the Keynsham defence problems with their direct running. Chances fell to Lexi Watts, who had a 30yd shot saved by the Keynsham keeper and Lister, whose drilled shot was saved by the Town keeper, with no Exeter player able to tap in the loose ball. On 89mins Exeter were awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal and Captain Yvie Miller saw her shot go just over the crossbar. The final whistle went few moments later to end an entertaining clash.

Exeter created the better of the chances and, but for a strong performance from the Keynsham keeper, the result could of been different. The management praised the girls at Full-time for their efforts & work rate, focus now turns to this Sunday with an away trip to local rivals Plymouth Argyle.