Women's Report:
AFC Bournemouth 1 Exeter City 1

An important point on the road for City Women
Report by David Gribble 

Exeter City Women’s winning league run came to an end, but they will be delighted to bring a point home from Dorset as the top of the table clash with AFC Bournemouth ended all square.

The hosts came out the blocks quickly, turning the City defence with a series of lofted passes. Manfy Sharpe blocked an early Lucy Cooper cross as the Grecians backline were under significant pressure, not helped but giving away a number of free kicks for Bournemouth midfielder Molly Barron-Clark to pepper the penalty area with probing crosses. 

Kenni Thompson broke clear of a square City backline to force Abbi Bond into a fantastic save with her feet, the turn and shot from the follow up producing and even more impressive stop as Bond clung onto Thompson’s low driven effort.  

However, the games two most threatening players would combine to give the hosts the lead just before the whistle. Barron-Clark worked a yard to send in a perfectly weighted cross and Thompson powered home the header beyond Bond from close range. 

The second half required a City response and it came immediately. Phoebe Baker clipping a precise pass to Markham who deftly controlled the ball and fired home instinctively to level the game.  

Bournemouth hit back with an effort of their own, Thompson striking from the edge of the penalty area, the shot tipped onto the upright with a stunning fingertip save from Bond. The frame of the goal took another hit minutes later, this time Alisha Buckingham striking an effort onto the top of the crossbar. 

Barron-Clark struck a free kick into the top corner, Bond again at full stretch as she tipped the ball over her crossbar as the home side created all the chances to find a deciding goal. Jess Sandland’s back post corner just evading debutant Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham as close as City would come to claiming a winner for themselves. 

On a bobbly surface, City never came close to playing their fluid passing game, the game generally transcending into a pattern of defenders running towards their own goals as midfield was bypassed. City’s front two were unusually isolated and it was an afternoon for winning battles and giving everything, which the Grecians certainly did.

Last season a late Bournemouth winner ultimately cost City the title as they missed out on goal difference, Sunday’s hard-earned point could therefore prove all important as this title race looks set to go to the wire.  

Sunday February 4th

Swindon Town Development 1
Exeter City Women Reserves 4


A win on the road for the team, Hollie O'Neil (2), Matilda Franchi and Abi Harrison with the goals. 

Report by Maxine Coupe 



Exeter City Reserves made the trip to Cirencester College looking to pick up 3 points in there FAWNL Reserve league match against Swindon Town, who had already been beaten by Exeter in December at Exwick Hub & came away victorious.

In windy conditions there was early chances for Abi Whistler & Steph Beck but shots were being dealt with comfortably by the Swindon goalkeeper. On 16mins a Swindon corner was cleared by the Exeter defence and was picked up by Lemoni Gouldstone, who played in a delightful through ball to Hollie O'Neill to outwit her defender and score from a tight angle. Gouldstone was causing problems with her relentless closing down of the Swindon defence and on 22mins she dislodged the ball from a defender on the by line but her shot was saved by the keeper for a corner. Swindon got themselves back into the game and it was a corner which unlocked the City defence. A free header by Madeline Hines got her side level on 28mins. Exeter were to regain the lead on 38mins when the outstanding O'Neill who was playing out of position as a striker, turned her defender inside out and played a great cross along 6yd box & found Abi Harrison at the back post to tap in and give City a Half Time 2-1 lead.

City started brightly in second half and created numerous chances but it was to be on 55mins when O'Neill scored her second of the game. Good midfield interplay by Whistler & Beck found Gouldstone who played in O'Neill who beat the keeper to the ball to score City's 3rd goal. Lily Dowling who had an outstanding game in defence, played a delightful cross field pass to Matilda Franchi who controlled perfectly but her shot just whistled past the far post.
Swindons keeper was having a great game, making numerous saves to deny Exeter from further adding to their score, but she couldn't do anything about City's 4th goal, when on 75mins a ball over the Swindons defence by Whistler was met by Franchi to head past the keeper.

A win which keeps Exeter in third place in the FAWNL Reserve South West league and will be looking to continue their good league form when they host Keynsham Town Reserves on Sunday 11th February at Exwick Hub 2pm.

Player of the match was jointly awarded to Hollie O'Neill & Lily Dowling.