Four first half opposition goals resulted in City Women falling to defeat at SJP, as they lost their opening 2026/27 WNL fixture 4-0 against Oxford United.
Abbie Britton named five debutants in her team, alongside Maya Kendell who made her return back to City after a season at the opposition, Oxford. With five more new signings on the bench, Britton’s team was set and ready at St James Park to face the opening game of the 26/27 FAWNL season.
First half
It was the visitors who starter stronger, as they won an early corner thanks to a sliding tackle from Ffion Llewellyn. The U's corner did actually find the back of the net, however the referee’s decision of a foul cancelled it out.
City were quick to respond as Maya Kendell sprinted down the wing and delivered a promising ball that was narrowly missed by new loanee Nia Lewis.
However, City found themselves behind shortly after. After winning a free kick down the right wing, Oxford took the chance and opened the scoring with a strike that ended up in the top corner for 1-0.
At the restart, City looked for an equaliser when Nia Lewis, from a good distance, took the ball to her feet and looked for goal with a thrilling strike, closely missing the target. Play was then turned though, when the competitors sent a sliding ball between the City defence, being finished off to make it 2-0.
Exeter continued to look for a way back into the match, as Amber Pollock made a clinical tackle, finding Lewis who placed it into the box for Georgia Vaccaro - but the shot was saved.
Moments later, the ball was passed straight to the other end and the opponents took the advantage. A ball was crossed deep into the box and found the head of an Oxford United player which was targeted into the net and the score became 3-0.
Another deep ball was crossed into their box and the opposing team headed it into the back of the net however the flag was raised for offside.
The visitors kept raising the intensity, and soon the fourth goal came.A run down the wing was swung into the box, it connected well with their attackers and the visitors were able to grow their lead to 4-0.
With a quick restart, new signing Charlotte Whitmore found the ball at her feet however too many touches enabled the defenders to come and gather the ball. The ball was won back though later down the field as Vaccaro found herself in a good position to shoot but too little power allowed the keeper to easily come and collect it.
With half time approaching, Vaccaro laid off the ball into the feet of Beth McGowan however a powerful strike over the bar allowed the score to remain 4-0, as the half time whistle blew.
Second half
With a few home truths ringing in their ears from the break, City threatened early after the restart. Ishbel Zuurmond was allowed space to take the ball away from the defence and was in on goal but a well alert keeper was able to collect the ball and the Grecians were still looking for their opening.
With the new substitutions wanting to make instant impact, Exeter now had the upper hand, and with great footwork from Lewis allowed Kendell to be played in down the wing - however too much strength made the cross go wide and City were still not able to convert their chances.
Tia Asker made a notable difference after coming on, through delivering dangerous balls into the box and taking shots of her own, it was evident the Grecians needed a game changing player to help find them a goal and keep the game interesting.
It wasn’t long until Oxford found their rhythm yet again though. A well passed through ball allowed the Oxford attackers to be in on goal, however, captain Bow Jackson made a quick, strong decision as she threw herself towards the goal post to deny Oxford of their fifth goal. Good goalkeeping from debutant Erin Foley as she bravely came and cleared the ball from the feet of the opponent.
With the full time whistle approaching, Kendell won a superb tackle and managed to shrug off the defenders, finding Emily Poole in the midfield. Poole looped the ball over the top of the defence trying to find Emily Pitman however the keeper read it well and collected the ball.
City improved throughout the second half, but it was Oxford who came away with all three points at SJP.
Exeter City Women: Foley, Kendell, Llewellyn, Jackson (C), Sandland (Heard, 56'), Pollock (Asker 56'), McGowan (Poole, 56'), Lewis (Sara, 79'), Zuurmond, Whitmore, Vaccaro (Pitman 68').
Substitutes not used: Bell (GK), Papaioannou.
Attendance: 740
Match report written by Darcie MacNamara