City Women's unbeaten run came to an end as they fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in Swindon.
The hosts scored either side of half-time to inflict City their first defeat since early October, as they left the County Ground empty handed.
Team News
Now back in league action after processing in the WNL Cup last weekend, Abbie Britton made three changes from the Devon Derby league victory 11 days ago. Ffion Llewellyn, Phoebe Baker and Georgia Vaccaro came into the starting line up, with emily Poole and Jess Sandland dropping to the bench, while Charlotte Whitmore missed the game while she served her one-match suspension.
First Half
City Women knew it was always going to be a scrappy affair as they travelled to one of the lower placed sides and that was exactly how the game played out.
The ball spent more time in the air than on the ground and that was working in Swindon's favour. The Robins had the first half-chance of the game, they had the opportunity to test City from a corner but that was well cleared.
Moments later however, they found the breakthrough. A ball over the top was controlled beautifully by their striker who placed a composed finish past Foley to take the lead.
City went close near the 20-minute mark, a lovely curved pass from Sara found Zuurmond in the middle but her effort was parried away by the Town keeper. The two combined again, this time Zuurmond to Sara, as City's number nine was set free into the box but her effort was caught.
There were a couple of nervy moments for City, the first coming after Llewellyn got caught in possession but Swindon weren't able to make the most of it. They then went close again when the ball rolled along the goal line but Llewellyn was on hand to clear.
Second Half
Early in the second half City had the opportunity to equalise from a free kick, Nia Lewis stepped up to take it, but her effort flew just over. Moments later however, Swindon thought they had extended their lead to two, but it was flagged for offside.
City started to ramp up the pressure on Town as Slcombe went close with a header, then Pollock played a good ball into the area, but no one was there to put it away.
Just as City were starting to build some momentum, Swindon scored again. A ball into the box found their striker who finished low past Foley.
Georgia Vaccaro went close twice in succession, Tia Asker's cross found her in the box but she couldn't direct her effort on target. Another opportunity came the way of City's number 7 but she dragged that effort wide.
The best chance of the second half for City came from Fearne Slocombe. Jess Sanland's delivery found the head of Slocombe but her effort was acrobatically tipped onto the cross bar.
City kept pushing right until the final whistle, knowing that a goal would completely open the game up, but it wasn't meant to be. Abbie Britton's side fell to their fourth league defeat of the season.
Up Next
City will be back in FA Cup action next weekend as they take on Portsmouth at Silver Street, then the following weekend we're back at SJP to play Pompey once again, this time in League.
Exeter City Women: Foley, Pollock (Poole, 90'), Papaioannou, Llewellyn, Slocombe, Baker (Maxted, 72'), Lewis (Pitman, 64'), Zuurmond (Sandland, 64'), Sara, Vaccaro
Substitutes not used: Lockyer (GK), McGowan, Le Poidvien
Attendance: 219