Exeter City Ladies FC v Alphington Ladies FC, Sunday 27th September 2009
City were looking to exact revenge on Alphington for sending them crashing out of the Devon Cup in the previous season by seven goals to three. Knowing that Alphington's strongest players were their central midfield and strikers, Manager Steve Tully had opted for a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Kerry Hurley sitting just in front of the back four.
City started strongly and within thirty seconds had won their first corner, which Kirsty Caunter headed just wide. Five minutes later and Caunter made amends for her miss, firing the ball home from twenty five yards out on the right side of the pitch directly into the top left corner.
With their first goal in the bag, City continued to apply the pressure.Both Zoe Kingdom and Emma Jones, on the right and left wings respectively, were tearing the Alphington full backs apart. City's second goal followed shortly when some excellent play from striker Hannah Cox saw her brought down inside the box by Alphington's keeper. The resultant penalty was slotted comfortably into the bottom right corner by centre midfielder, Naomi Wilkins.
Exeter maintained the majority of possession for the remainder of the half, but found themselves unable to further the scoring.
The girls continued to push on from half time. A diagonal ball from full back Tamsin Braund, eluded the Alphington defence, for Caunter to run on to. Caunter played a quick one-two with Wilkins before smashing home her second goal of the game. Wilkins and Caunter were dominating central play.
City's set pieces were causing their opposition all sorts of problems, with Wilkins and striker Carla Staddon rattling the post and crossbar three times in just five minutes. It was the second phase of a Hurley corner that led to the fourth goal. Caunter crossed the ball in from an Alphington clearance for Jones to scramble in at the far post.
Alphington turned up the heat with City's keeper Rosie Maguire forcing the ball onto the crossbar from a Laura Burwood shot thirty yards out.
However, City's back four showed good composure and never looked like conceding. Centre halves Jade Maryan and Kellie Hall were rocks in the centre of defence, confidently intercepting passes meant for the Alphington strikers. Full backs Tamsin Braund and Mandy Earle consistently hit long balls into the channels and diagonal for the wingers to run on to. It was one of these balls over the top that led to the final goal of the game. Substitute Siobhan Aslett struck the ball from just outside the box, over the keeper.
At the final whistle the score was 5-0 to City, with Tully stating that it was 'our best performance of the season.'
The girls would like to thank the East Devon Grecians and the Exeweb members that came to support them on Sunday. The support and encouragement that was given was really appreciated.
A big thank you to East Devon Grecians!
Monday 21 September saw Exeter City defender Steve Tully, along with Exeter Ladies defenders Tamsin Braund and Kellie Hall, visit Sidmouth for an evening with the East Devon Grecians.After a question and answer session, the girls chose to team up against manager Steve Tully for the quiz. After some well timed 'toilet breaks' (with mobile phone in handbag), the girls and team mates Shabba Boulton and Exeter FM's Joe Hellier,managed a draw against their managers team!
At the end of a very enjoyable evening, East Devon Grecians presented Exeter City Ladies team with £250 (the amount raised from the evening) towards a new red and white home kit. The Ladies team would not only like to thank East Devon Grecians for the sponsorship, but also for a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining evening, and for turning up to support them in their match against Alphington on Sunday.
A big thank you from all of us!
