CITY BEAT ARGYLE ON PENS

AMBASSADOR LEAGUE CUP,
AT TOPSHAM TOWN FC,

EXETER CITY LADIES 1-1 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE LADIES
(EXETER WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES)


This is the second time these teams have met in as many weeks due to rearranged fixtures. The last outing, a fixture in the South West Women's Combination League, resulted in a thrilling 3-3 draw.

In wet and slippery conditions, Plymouth started the brighter of the two teams, putting City's defence under pressure from the outset. The deadlock was broken 20 minutes into the match when Emily Mosely capitalised on a wayward clearance to put Plymouth ahead. Momentum changed with the start of the second half as City came out and took hold of the game, Constantly pressuring the Argyle defence, it was only a matter of time before an equaliser was found. A run down the right and nifty footwork by City's Lola Sanchez resulted in a superb cross, smashed home calmly by oncoming midfielder Leah Brooks. City again applied pressure, with striker Laura Burwood's effort going just wide. City looked sure to put themselves ahead when Carla Staddon found herself clean through on goal, but in slippery conditions placed the ball just over the crossbar. Argyle retaliated immediately, forcing keeper Maxine Coupe to make a fine save, before being denied by the woodwork.

Full time ended 1-1 and extra time ensued.

Extra time was end to end, with Argyle putting City's defence under the cosh for the latter stages of the second half. City's defence stood firm, forcing a penalty shoot out after the final whistle!

Laura Burwood stepped up to take City's first to make it 1-0. Argyle netted their subsequent penalty to equalise. Kirsty Caunter finished City's second, 2-1. Argyle proceeded to miss their second and fourth penalties with City missing their third and fourth, to make it 2-2. Left back Marika Ghiglia netted City's third, with Argyle levelling again to make it 3-3 and 'sudden death'. City winger Carla Staddon rifled her team's fourth into the bottom corner of the net. Argyle replied to make it 4-4. Manager Steve Tully turned away, too nervous to watch as his wife walked up to take City's seventh penalty! Centre half Tamsin's strike was pushed onto the under side of the crossbar by the Argyle keeper, but it was not enough to stop the ball bouncing behind the line. Plymouth missed their seventh penalty kick, sending City through to the next round!

An exciting end to an enthralling match. This was the second time City have beaten Argyle in their three meetings this season, with the other clash resulting in a draw. Steve Tully said of the game: "In tough conditions the girls held their nerve and coolly stepped up to take their penalties when needed. In three tough games against Plymouth, who got relegated from the South West Premier League last season, City have more than held their own. This is great testament for the work that we have put in and the leagues that we have had to come up through to compete at this level."