Exeter City Women exited the WNL League Cup with defeat at the County Ground on Sunday at the hands of Markham's and Barron-Clark's second-half strikes.

Exeter City played host to AFC Bournemouth at Coach Road for the second round fixture in the WNL League Cup on Sunday. A 1-1 draw in the previuos league encounter between the two teams in August resulted in both teams wanting to go one step further and decide a winner. Abbie Britton has said that her focus lay with the league and the FA Cup, hence a changed squad for this week's game as opposed to the previous week's win against Billericay Town in the league.

First Half

The visitors began with all the authority of a side who are unbeaten this season, Sophie Quirk testing Liv Giles in the Grecian goal with a low drive before Jess Hennessy volleyed a corner wide at the near post minutes later. 

Barron-Clark struck a low effort that bounced off the upright, whilst City defender Jaydee Seaman’s perfectly timed slide tackle denied Quirk another sight at Giles’ goal. 

The game was following a similar pattern to the league fixture at Ringwood in August, City denying space to a talented Cherries attack whilst looking to counter and create chances. It was a plan that came close to seeing City lead at the break, Gillies pouncing on a loose defensive pass and striding towards goal, her lobbed effort was tipped over the crossbar from the retreating Katie Scadding.

Second Half

With the tie balanced in a competitive encounter, the Grecains will feel aggrieved with how the second half began. Half time substitute Emily Poole cleared the ball against Kenni Thompson with the rebound hitting the defender’s arm from close range. The resulting free kick and phase of play would prove crucial with Jenna Markham heading in to open the scoring.

More contention moments later, Jaydee Seaman received a second yellow for a foul on Thompson, and the Grecians were down to ten. Seaman had picked up a booking in the first half for a clearance under pressure that was deemed as kicking the ball away to slow play, it was a decision that would assist in the City defender's eventual dismissal.

With City stretched, the space opened for the Cherries attack, Quirk, Markham and Thompson with space to exploit and Barron-Clark with the freedom to dictate play. Markham put a chance just wide from a Quirk cross, but it was Barron-Clark who hit the decisive second with an arrowed shot into the top corner from an acute angle just after the hour mark.

If her first was good, her second goal was special. A stunning hit from thirty yards darting into the top corner with Giles left with no chance. With the tie over, Abbie Britton continued to attack as the Grecians went down fighting. Ishbel Zuurmond hitting a stunning effort that dipped over Scadding’s crossbar. Gillies then had two headed chances to give consolation to the home fans, Vaccaro heading a corner just wide as the city substitutes ensured an entertaining end to the game.

Next Up

The Grecians return to league action on Sunday and will be keen to continue their rise up the Southern Premier Division.