A goal at the start of each half from Georgia Vaccaro sealed another pre-season victory for City Women, as they beat Cardiff City 2-1.
Fast starts in both halves were what it took to see off the Bluebirds, with Vaccaro extending her friendly goalscoring run to five this summer, with City Women continuing their 100% friendly record.
Abbie Britton made three changes from last week's team in their win over Bristol rovers, with Georgia Vaccaro, Tia Asker and Ellie Sara starting.
First half
City took the initiative from kick-off, pressing the Cardiff City defence straight from their first touch. Early shots from Georgia Vaccaro and Ellie Sara forced two quick saves from the Cardiff goalkeeper, before the former opened the scoring in the second minute. Cutting away from a defender, Vaccaro shot at the near post, beating the keeper as the ball nestled into the bottom corner.
Exeter continued to attack, next creating a promising chance from a counter attack, with the trialist sending in a through ball around the defender which was just too fast for Sara.
The visitors began to grow into the match after this, as they threatened with a driven ball into the box, but it was quickly dealt with by the City defence.
In the 16th minute, Tyrii Bell produced an incredible double save at close range to keep the Grecians in a 1-0 lead.
Sara had a fantastic chance next to double City's lead as she was played through one-on-one by Vaccaro, however her shot was dragged wide. Vaccaro continued to cause problems for Cardiff's defence as next a powerful tackle on the forward resulted in an Exeter freekick in a promising area, but swiftly diverted away by Cardiff.
A mistimed challenge by Bow Jackson in a dangerous area meant Bell had to be at Exeter’s rescue again with a great save from the direct free kick, but there was nothing she could do about another set piece minutes later. A free-kick from distance was converted by Ffion Price as the Bluebirds levelled.
Exeter didn’t respond quickly enough to Cardiff’s equaliser and nearly paid the price in the form of a second goal, fortunately Tyrii Bell remained composed and collected Cardiff’s scuffed attempt at goal, before a corner hit the crossbar on the stroke of half-time, with the Grecians narrowly defending their lead.
Second half
Despite Cardiff pushing early after the restart, it was Exeter who regained the lead thanks to some smart pressing.
Beth McGowan won the ball back for Exeter from a Bluebirds goalkick, before laying it off to Vaccaro who calmly converted for her second of the game, putting City 2-1 up in the 51st minute.
Moments later it was another big chance for Exeter and Sara, however her shot inched over the bar and the scoreline remained 2-1.
The match's tempo began to slow down as the expected number of substitutes for a friendly came on during the second half, but Cardiff were relentless in their search for an equaliser, but a wild shot settled the Grecian’s nerves and Exeter restarted play with a goal kick.
Returning for her first action of pre-season 2026, Phoebe Baker took aim from distance as the match drew to a close, but her low shot was deflected out.
An incredible strike in the 95th minute from Whitmore was met by a fantastic save from the Cardiff keeper as the game came to a close.
A fourth friendly victory in a row for Abbie Britton's Grecians, the team have one more friendly left this Friday at Exwick, against Marine Academy Plymouth.
Exeter City Women: Bell, Pollock, Llewellyn (Papaioannou 58'), Jackson, Heard (Sandland 58'), Asker, Poole (Baker 66'), McGowan (Maxted 66'), Trialist A, Vaccaro (Whitmore 58'), Sara (Pitman 58').
Substitute not used: Foley.
Goals: Vaccaro 2', 49'
Written by Oscar Duff