Match Report:
Wolves Women 3 City Women 4

Sunday 10th August 2025

Exeter City Women completed pre-season with a 100% record after a topsy-turvy 4-3 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the SEAH Stadium in Telford.

Sophie Gillies registered a trio of goals before Georgia Vaccaro added gloss to the victory in added time after Wolves had fought from two goals down to initially level the game.

There were changes and substitutions aplenty after two matches already this week – 4-1 and 9-1 wins at Bristol Rovers and MAP respectively – as Abbie Britton had one final look at her squad before the league kicks off away at Cheltenham next Sunday.

First Half

The Grecians took just two minutes to open the scoring in Telford, as Gillies combined with Ellie Sara and Emily Poole to smash home inside the area. After Sara’s lay-off, Gillies played the one-two with Poole to fire in the return ball.

Wolves, who are one of the favourites for the Northern half of the National League this season, were quick to react however and could have levelled with a header from a left hand side cross. City stopper Abbi Bond was then needed as she smothered, before the game continued to open up. Twice the hosts played corners to the edge of the area, and on both occasions the effort flew over the bar.

It should have been two when Sara pounced on poor distribution from Wolves keeper Mia Smith to find Stacey, but Smith made amends to get down and quell the danger. That was a warning shot however, as just five minutes later City and Gillies doubled their tally. In the same manner, Sara pressed on Smith’s goal-kick and won the ball on the edge of the box before Gillies found the bottom corner with a neatly placed effort.

Just minutes before the half-time whistle blew, with City in control, Bond ensured it stayed that way as tipped a ferocious free-kick from Beth Merrick around the post with the ball sailing into the top corner.

Second Half

The Grecians were good value for their lead, but just two minutes into the second half that lead was halved as Jade Cross pounced on a piercing through ball to beat the onrushing Bond from midway inside the area.

Wolves smelt blood and changed shape shortly after their first goal, dominating large periods of possession in the opening 15 minutes of the half. The leveller came in impressive circumstances as the hosts burst forward, City allowing space for Louanne Worsey to unleash a fierce effort from distance with Bond rooted to the spot.

Gillies could have had her hat-trick earlier had she beaten Bec Thomas – Wolves’ second half keeper – but the woman with the gloves thwarted the hungry striker from close range after Stacey’s well weighted pass.

With the game evened up in terms of score and balance of play, City edged back in front with a superb counter-attacking move. Winning possession in the centre, Beth Ireland delivered a defence splitter for Vaccaro, who stood up the perfect cross to the edge of the six-yard box for Gillies to powerfully head past Thomas for 3-2.

City had thrown everything at Wolves and found a fourth goal a minute into second half stoppage time. After delivering an assist for Gillies’ third, Vaccaro got herself on the scoresheet as the dropped kindly to her inside the area for her to cushion the ball off the post for number four. 

The game was not done though, with Wolves pulling another goal back from the penalty spot just two minutes later. Merrick stepped up to send the ball past Bond, but it was too late to mount any further comeback as City held on for a brilliant victory. 

Wolves XI: Smith (GK), Harkin, Marshall, Cross, Hughes, Quigley, Sims, Anderson, Roberts, Jenner, Merrick.

Subs: Thomas (GK), Loydon, Greengrass, McPhail, Johnson, Hiscox, Worsey.

City XI: Bond (GK), Poole, Seaman, Jackson, Taylor, Pollock, Burridge, Baker, Sara, Gillies, Stacey.

Subs: Giles (GK), Sandland, Ireland, Everson, Presswell, Vaccaro. 

As it happened on Twitter

Wolves WFC v Exeter WFC

10th August 2025

At Telford FC.

The first half line up for the final pre- season fixture.

Bond, Poole, Seaman, Jackson (C), Taylor, Pollock, Burridge, Baker, Sara, Gillies, Stacey

Subs:- Giles (GK), Sandland, Ireland , Everson, Presswell, Vaccaro.

2 mins.

What a counter from city!  Ellie plays in Sophie, she plays the ball to Emily and the return ball to Sophie is fired home for the opener. Score Wolves 0-1 City

7 mins

Good response from the home team, who look to attack the city left side, after winning the free kick the Wolves defender heads wide.

8 mins

Abbi is quickly off her line to smother as Wolves attack the city penalty area again.

11 mins

City opened up but with better options the forward goes for goal and it’s comfortably over Abbi’s crossbar.

13 mins

City counter again, Phoebe sets Amber away and the block brings a city corner.

20 mins

Big chance for city!  The goal kick lis intercepted by Ellie and her shot draws the save, Sarah goes for the follow up but it’s another good save to deny the Grecians.

27 mins

Brilliant from Ellie on the press once more and as the loose ball drops to Sophie she fires in number two.

Score Wolves 0-2 City

31 mins

Nearly a mix up of our own, the pass is under hit and Abbi has to be quick to come out and smother the shot, Bow clears the danger.

32 mins Substitution

Amber Pollock is replaced by Jess Sandland.

43 mins

Jaydee slides in and brings the forward down, free kick to Wolves and Abbi makes the save.

Half-Time | Wolves 0-2 City

Gillies’ brace has us two up at the break!

Substitution

Mollie Taylor comes off and Amber Pollock comes back on.

47 mins

The through ball splits the city defence and Cross is first to the ball to pull one back. Wolves 1-2 City.

51 mins

Sloppy start to the half from city, two loose passes result in strikes at Abbi’s goal.

53 mins

Amber surges into the penalty area but the low cross is intercepted

56 mins Substitutions

Phoebe Baker & Amber Pollock are replaced by Beth Ireland & Beth Everson.

61 mins

All square, a fierce strike from distance beats Abbi

Wolves 2-2 City.

64 mins Substitutions

Ellie Sara & Beth Everson are replaced by Mollie Taylor & Georgia Vaccaro

65 mins

Sarah wins the ball and plays in Sophie, it’s a great save from close range to deny her the hat trick.

72 mins

Defence splitter from Beth Ireland, Georgia Vaccaro with the pinpoint cross and Sophie completes the hat trick with a close range header.

Score Wolves 2-3 City

77 mins Substitutions

Jaydee Seaman & Sophie Gillies are replaced by Georgina Presswell & Ellie Sara

79 mins

Abbi is out quick to deny the one on one chance, accidental contact from the forward but the game is stopped. And she’s up! Good news for city.

87 mins Substitution

Emily Poole is replaced by Matilda Franchi.

89 mins

No arguments there, Mollie has taken everything with that challenge… except the ball, and is booked.

91 mins

The ball drops in the penalty area and Georgia Vaccaro fires into the bottom corner for the game clinching goal

Score Wolves 2-4 City.

92 mins

Penalty Or is it game over? Spot kick to Wolves.

93 mins

Penalty scored,  been some game this!

Score Wolves 3-4 City.

FULL-TIME

Wolves 3-4 City.

A Sophie Gillies’ hattrick and Vaccaro’s late strike completes a 100% pre-season!

PF