The first Women’s Spotlight Fixture at SJP ended in a 1-1 draw after an entertaining evening between a youthful Exeter City Women side and the University of Exeter.
A mixed Grecians XI, made up of first teamers blended with under-18s and trialists, dominated the opening stages and deservedly took the lead in the 20th minute through a trademark composed finish from Sophie Gillies. As the game wore on though, City’s side became increasingly youthful with a number of changes from the bench, allowing the University to grow into the contest. Then, with just two minutes remaining, tired legs at the back allowed Charlotte Bigmore to race through one-on-one and fire into the roof of the net, giving all 647 supporters inside SJP something to cheer as the curtain closed on the 2025/26 season.
For what was officially a friendly fixture, Abbie Britton named a unique starting XI and bench, mixing first team players with members of the club’s under-18s side. Britton herself also started at the base of midfield, while a trialist featured in a side captained by Fearne Slocombe. One of our own Georgie Barbour-Gresham returned for this one-off special match, while Abbi Bond started in goal and Sarah Stacey was named on the bench, both making their final appearances as a Grecian.
First half
City began the stronger of the two sides at SJP, forcing several early corners before the University registered the game’s first shot on target - a fierce effort from outside the box which was comfortably held by Abbi Bond.
Sophie Gillies came closest to opening the scoring when she was released by Jess Sandland down the inside-left channel of the penalty area. The striker managed to beat the goalkeeper, however a recovering defender got back in time to clear off the line.
After captain Fearne Slocombe tried her luck from 30 yards with an effort that was gathered by the Mitchell in the Uni goal, the visitors threatened again, Chloe Connelly heading wide at the back post following a corner.
Abbie Britton was proving to be a creative force in the middle of City’s midfield and first set up Ellie Sara for a shot that flew over the bar before slicing open the University defence for the opening goal. Spotting Gillies on the shoulder of the defensive line, Britton produced a delightful outside-of-the-foot through ball to send the striker one-on-one with the goalkeeper, and she made no mistake, firing across goal into the bottom corner from a tight angle for 1-0.
Player-manager Britton then tried her luck herself moments later with an ambitious strike from distance, but her effort was pushed away by Mitchell in the University goal.
Having played a game less than 24 hours earlier, City made several expected changes midway through the first half, and one of those introduced, Sarah Stacey, should have doubled the lead when her initial effort was parried back into her path by the goalkeeper, only for the follow-up to be sent well over the bar.
The Grecians continued to dominate possession inside the University’s final third, however the visitors had a golden opportunity to level the game shortly before half-time. A slip at the back allowed Grace Smith to race through one-on-one with Bond, but the forward opted to shoot early and dragged her effort wide of the post.
There was still time for one final City chance before the break, as a trademark Barbour-Gresham header inside the box dropped kindly for Sara, although the ball was cleared before she could poke home.
Second half
More changes followed for the Grecians at the interval as Britton continued to rotate her side, with under-18 midfielder Sophie Gething emerging as City’s captain, leading a team which still included experienced figures such as Bow Jackson.
Two of the young Grecians both had efforts blocked early in the second half, as Gething and Lauren Le Poidevin saw chances deflected away from goal, before the latter set up Georgia Vaccaro for a powerful header into the back of the net, only for the offside flag to deny City a second.
The University remained a threat though, and one of their substitutes, Serena Cobb, rattled Carly Kelland’s crossbar from distance before Barbour-Gresham almost repeated the feat at the other end, heading onto the bar in front of the Big Bank following Phoebe Baker’s corner.
With both sides making frequent changes, the tempo of the game slowed somewhat, although the University remained ready to capitalise on any lapse from City to force an equaliser.
Three minutes after City goalkeeper Carly Kelland got down well to hold a free-kick from the edge of the area, the University found their leveller. Capitalising on tired legs at the back, Charlotte Bigmore raced through one-on-one with Kelland before smashing a finish into the roof of the net, sparking wild celebrations amongst the students inside SJP.
There was little time for either side to find a winner, as the first meeting with City Women and the University finished all square.
This match capped off the action at SJP for 2025/26, after a day of football at SJP as pitch renovation work begins this coming week ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Exeter City Women: Bond, P. Baker, Slocombe (C), Woodman, Sandland, Britton, P. Baker, A. Trailist, Sara, Le Poidevin, Gillies.
Substitutes used: Kelland (GK), Jackson, Gething, Vaccaro, Stacey, Bullock, Zieleniewicz, Barbour-Gresham
City Goal: Gillies 20'
Attendance: 647