Exeter City Women's game at Lewes was abandoned on Sunday afternoon after City Captain Bow Jackson required medical attention following her substitution on eighty minutes, the game tied at 1-1 and heading into the final moments.
Amber Pollock gave the Grecians an early lead with an effort which sailed over the Lewes keeper, before debutant Ruby Seaby scored to level the game in the second-half.
Exeter City Women manager Abbie Britton made three changes from the side that beat Gwalia United over 40 days ago, with Abbie Bond, Jess Sandland and Bow Jackson returning to action.
First Half
After a forty-eight-day break from action, city began brightly, Maddie Durrant hustling possession and firing an effort into the hands of Lewes Goalkeeper Emily Moore. Amber Pollock surged past the home defence and cut the ball back for Sophie Gillies to strike towards goal, her effort blocked by the retreating Maddie Brant. Gillies fired towards the top corner with her next touch, a fine save from Moore denying the city forward an opening goal.
The Grecians early pressure was rewarded on seventeen minutes, Pollock intercepting a loose pass and darting an effort towards the back post that sailed over Moore and into the net.
The goal sprung the home side into life, a low cross diverted towards goal by City’s Leah Burridge forced a reactionary save from Abbi Bond. The City goalkeeper was quickly off her line to deny Lewes again moments later, the Grecians pinned in and required to defend their penalty area to retain the lead.
The big chance before half time would go to the Grecians however, Jess Sandland’s corner headed in by Gillies, but the referee spotted an earlier infringement, and the teams would go into the interval separated only by the strike from Pollock.
Second Half
There were three changes from Lewes Manager Emma Byrne at half time, including the introduction of new loan signing Ruby Seaby, and the impact was instant. Layla Banaras fizzed an effort over Bond’s crossbar before the equaliser arrived, Seaby playing a one-two in the City penalty area and firing a low effort into the back of the net.
A close-range effort following more good wing play from Seaby should have given Lewes the lead, the header wide of the target. Jaydee Seaman blocked a dangerous low cross as the pressure continued, Bond again making a good save to palm away an effort from distance.
A change in formation brought a change in prospects for Abbie Britton’s side, two low crosses from Pollock just avoiding a City connection as the game opened up with big gaps to exploit.
The game was halted on 86 minutes, Jackson struggling to breath on the side of the pitch and the referee rightly calling a half to proceedings so that medical assistance could be made easily available. After a long pause to the game, the two managers and officials agreed on an abandonment of the game, Jackson taken to a waiting ambulance and departing to the nearest hospital.
Thankfully, the City captain was cleared for release later in the evening and will continue her recovery at home, with the medical staff at the venue and both sides medical teams to be congratulated on their swift assistance.
The day would not get much better for the Grecians, a mechanical issue with the team coach meaning the City squad did not return to Exeter until 6.30am on Monday morning.
Up Next
The Grecians will be hoping for a smoother return to action on Sunday as Billericay Town are the visitors to St James Park for a 2pm kick-off. Click here for tickets.
Lewes XI: Moore (GK), Brant (C), Schreimaier, Banaras, Godfrey, Carpenter (Ferguson 45'), Trewhitt (Priest 45'), Howells, Harvey, Edwards (Seaby 45'), Lane
Lewes unused subs: Woods, Rowe, Ginger, Gilligan
Goalscorers: Seaby 55'
Exeter City XI: Bond (GK), Jackson (C) (Poole 80'), Slocombe, Seaman, Sandland, Pollock, Baker (Stacey 71'), Burridge Durrant, Zuurmond, Gillies
Exeter City unused subs: Giles (GK), Toogood, Styles
Goalscorers: Pollock 17'