EXETER CITY v ABINGDON UNITED

EXWICK SPORTS HUB,

SUNDAY 10th SEPTEMBER, 2PM KICK OFF

Match Report:
Exeter City 5 Abingdon United 1

Exeter City Women progressed into the next round of the League Cup Plate Competition with a comfortable victory over Abingdon United on Sunday afternoon.

The Grecians started brightly, Jenna Markham winning the ball in dangerous territory and squaring for Ishbel Zuurmond to strike an effort onto the face of the crossbar. Markham then had two good opportunities of her own, guiding an effort into the hands of Abingdon Goalkeeper Sophie Kirby before flashing a volley just wide. Sarah Stacey tested the handling of Kirby once more from distance, before a poor connection from a back post corner would have seen greater reward had the technique been better. 

For all the Grecian’s dominance, it was Abingdon who had the best chance to take the lead. A dangerous in-swinging free kick was met with a downward header forcing a smart stop from Abbi Bond in the City goal.  

City had needed to remain patient and confident in possession and it was a high-class move that rewarded them with a second. Mollie Taylor and Zuurmond linking before the cultivated midfielder crossed for Markham to tap in. 

The Grecians then created a host of chances to end the tie as a contest, Stacey forcing a brilliant close range save from Kirby, Taylor bouncing a header off the crossbar and Markham getting her connection wrong from a Jess Sandland corner. Comfortable at the break but a disappointment to only have a two-goal advantage. 

With City on top, Danial Knight’s side needed a response as the second half began, and they got it instantly. Poor care of passing led to Abingdon turning over possession and having a chance on goal, Bond saved the first effort but was unable to prevent the second effort from Lauren May halving the home side’s lead. 

Markham’s lobbed effort nearly regained the two-goal advantage, before the City forward’s pace unnerved the Town backline enough for Stacey to capitilise. With the initial effort saved, the destructive forward drilled in the rebound for her fifth goal in as many days. 

Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley added fresh legs to the team, a third game in a hot week a tough challenge for both sides. Tash Knapman, the matchwinner the previous weekend against Swindon Town, nearly added to her season’s tally, stooping to head a Watkins’ cross but narrowly missing the ball and, thankfully, the post. 

Zuurmond’s guile and trickery looked set to add a fourth for City, her blocked shot falling into the path of Knapman and there would only be one result as she poked the ball beyond Kirby for her third goal in two games. 

Knapman and the Abingdon defence then had their own battle, the City forward firing in efforts that were well blocked to deny the lead from extending, but it would be Zuurmond who had the final say. Watkins’ deep in swinging corner powered over the line by the head of the City midfielder from close range with a helpful nudge from Taylor. 

Three games in a hot week, three wins and fifteen goals scored, Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley can only be pleased with the efforts of their team. A trip to struggling Selsey awaits next weekend, before all eyes turn to St James Park and the visit of Moneyfields for what will be one of the key fixtures in the 2023/24 League campaign. 

South West Reserve League
Exeter Reserves v Keynsham

By Maxine Coupe

Exeter hosted Keynsham at Cliff Hill Training Ground on Sunday in the FAWNL Reserve Cup and came away triumphant. Manager Dale Russell gave starting roles to youngsters Lemoni Gouldstone and Freya Horler after their impressive roles coming on as Subs the previous week. Abi Whistler replaced Lauren Bullock at Right full back and Matilda Franchi fulfilled the left back duties with such aplomb she was awarded the Player of the Match by Russell.

Exeter were dominant from the start and controlled the game throughout. The young Grecians first goal came from striker Connie Pengelly after a driving run from Franchi saw her brought down just outside the 18yard area. Pengelly struck it low and into far corner for the opener. Chances were steadily created and efforts by Horler, Pengelly, Danni Skinner & Ellen Dixon all narrowly missed the target, but Exeter could not add to the score before half time. The Second Half began and City soon got the second, a great through ball by Amy Salter found Horler who stayed composed to slot past the on rushing keeper for her first goal in Women’s Football. Exeter were playing controlled football with neat passing and patience, their third came after the impressive Franchi was brought down in the box for a penalty which Pengelly scored to take her tally to 4 goals in 2 games. 3-0 City.

Russell then made all 5 subs in the 54th minute, bringing on Abi Harrison, Chloe Harris, Kitty Rumens, Jess Cockayne & Paige Macdonald-Bale for Dixon, Whistler, Skinner, Gouldstone & Horler.

Harrison scored soon after coming on (57min) when she drove into box to shoot past the keeper for 4-0. Harrison’s best goal was to come when on 68mins a misplaced pass was picked up by Harrison who shot from 25yards out over keepers head for 5-0.
The ever lively Franchi then got herself on the scoresheet (88mins) for City’s 6th, when played through and hitting a thunderous shot into far corner. City’s last goal came from Captain Bronwyn Cousins (90+2) who scored with a header from a Franchi corner to make it seven.

The Final whistle blew straight after to give Exeter Reserves a convincing victory and advance through to the Preliminary Round where they have been given a bye.