Exeter City Ladies FC v Lipson Ladies FC

20th September 2009

City approached their third league game of the season determined to cement their position at the top of the Westward Developments Devon Women's League Premier Division. City's striker Kirsty Caunter bragged during the warm up that her new 'lucky pants' would help City to victory.

The girls made a tentative start, until a ball over the top from Naomi Wilkins gave Caunter a one-on-one opportunity with the Lipson keeper. Her clever finishing opened the scoring, slicing the ball into the far corner. City's lead was short lived however, when a ball over the top enabled Lipson's striker to slot the ball past keeper Rosie Maguire. With minutes to go until the half time whistle, City's left winger Emma Jones drove a decisive cross into Lipson's penalty area, directly into the path of oncoming Caunter. She slotted the ball home comfortably to reaffirm City's lead. City continued to drive forward through centre halves Jade Maryan and Kellie Hall, with some great shots from striker Hannah Cox being driven just wide.

Half time saw Gemma Ralph moved to the left wing.  Fantastic play from Siobhan Aslett and Ralph from right to left, ended with Ralph's cross being headed into the back of Lipson's net by Wilkins, 3-1. The twenty minute spell that followed saw City tear the Lipson defence apart, over and over.   A cross from Ralph ricocheted off a defender and was converted by striker Carla Staddon (photo), to make the score 4-1. City's fifth came when a run down the flank by left back Tamsin Braund was crossed by winger Emma Jones, for Ralph to coolly slot in at the far post. Kirsty Caunter grabbed her hat-trick shortly after when a one-two with midfielder Kerry Hurley put her clean through on goal. Caunter struck the ball just outside of the box sending their keeper the wrong way.

Lipson did not lose faith and were determined to fight on. A lapse in communication between City's defenders and keeper, allowed Lipson's striker to lob the keeper from close range. The final goal of the game came when Lipson had a stroke of luck and the ball was blasted onto the hand of City's centre half, Kellie Hall, in the area. Consequently a penalty was given. This was placed into the left corner, to make the final score 6-3.

Exeter LFC 6-3 Lipson LFC