Exeter City Women’s good form continued with a hard-fought victory over Real Bedford on Sunday afternoon, the Grecians coming from behind to secure all three points.
The Grecians returned to The County Ground a week on from their draw against AFC Bournemouth to face Real Bedford in the final home league game of the season in TQ12. A reverse fixture in October that saw the Pirates take all three points in a 2-0 win, the onus was on City to go one better this time around.
Abbie Britton made two changes to her side that drew with the Cherries, as Beth Ireland and Sarah Stacey were awarded starts. The injury crisis that hampered the Grecians in the opening games of the calendar year had also began to subside, allowing for a more populated bench.
First Half
Buoyed by last weekend’s draw against title chasing AFC Bournemouth, City started the contest with intent, Emily Poole’s interception and pass offering an early chance to Sarah Stacey that was blocked by Bedford Goalkeeper Erica Meale from close range.
Leah Burridge and Ishbel Zuurmond both had efforts on goal before Stacey and Sophie Gillies linked to create another clear-cut chance, Gillies’ low effort smothered by Meale.
Stacey and Gillies linked once more to create an opportunity for Zuurmond, her run into the penalty area just missing the chance to steer a low cross towards goal.
For all the home side’s dominance the opening goal had remained elusive, and the visitorsbegan to grow into the contest, Abbie Bensted with a fiercely struck effort wide of Abbi Bond’s goal before Lucy Wood hit the crossbar.
Bedford had seized on the lull in the Grecians tempo, Jaydee Seaman heading a dangerous cross up and over Bond’s crossbar as the referee blew for half time.
Second Half
Bensted struck another fierce effort towards Bond’s goal as the second half commenced, the shot narrowly wide as Bedford upped the pressure on the Grecians defence. Blocks from Poole and Fearne Slocombe prevented further chances for the visitors, but the opening goal would come on the hour mark as the away side took control.
A lunging challenge from the City defence gave referee Gareth Dunn an easy decision and Issy Bryant dispatched the penalty for the lead.
The response from the home side was not forthcoming, with the visitors looking to press for a second goal, but against the run of play City would find the chance to level. The ever-willing Zuurmond chased down a long pass and took advantage of indecision in the visitor's defence, winning the ball and being clattered by Meale for her effort, referee Dunn pointed to the spot once more. Substitute Ellie Sara stepped up and dispatched the ball into the bottom rightcorner.
The Grecians have not been the recipients of good fortune on many occasions in recent months, but the winning goal brought a welcome blessing. Emily Toogood’s clipped pass was diverted into the path of Gillies and with Meale stranded she tapped the ball into the empty net.
The Bedford self-destruction was complete five minutes from time, a reckless challenge from Scarlett Williams on Slocombe rightly bringing a second yellow card and her subsequentdismissal.
From that moment the Grecians ran riot, Gillies and Sara combining for multiple chances, with Weale and the recovering defence doing well to deny a greater deficit on the final scoreline.
Up Next
Abbie Britton’s side once again showed their resilience and continue to build momentum for a strong end to the season; they will certainly need all their fortitude next up as they head to Vicarage Road to face league leaders Watford on Sunday afternoon.
Match Details
Exeter City XI
Bond (GK), Seaman (C) (Toogood 74'), Slocombe, Sandland, Ireland (Baker 67'), Stacey (Jackson 61'), Poole, Zuurmond, Gillies, Burridge, Pollock (Sara 61')
Exeter City Goalscorers
Sara (69'), Gillies (77')
Real Bedford XI
Meale (GK), Williams, Stovold, Warren (C), Puddick, Rush, O'Meara (Mehmet 70'), Wood (Byrom 70'), Bensted, Grant (Logie 87'), Lane
Real Bedford Unused Subs
Bryant, Cunnison, Fields-Davis, Baker
Real Bedford Goalscorers
Bryant (57')