Exeter City Women returned to St James Park with a commanding victory over Billericay Town, the Grecians hitting six goals to move themselves up to seventh in the FA WNL Southern Premier League.
Abbie Britton named two changes from her side that drew 1-1 a week prior against Lewes, with Emily Toogood and Sarah Stacey given the nod. Having signed a month earlier, Jas Styles found a place on the bench in her first home match since putting pen to paper.
With Ellie Sara, Georgia Vaccaro, Bow Jackson, Beth Ireland and Beth Sandland all out of action through injury, the City gaffer had no choice but to be a named substitute alongside Styles, Emily Poole and goalkeeper Liv Giles.
First Half
Visiting goalkeeper Tyrii Bell was busy from the start, denying Sophie Gillies on two occasions in the opening five minutes, Amber Pollock firing narrowly wide as the Grecians began with a dominant spell. Bell denied Gillies once more, Maddie Durrant’s follow up was blocked and Pollock fired the loose ball over as it felt only a matter of time before Abbie Britton’s side found the opening goal.
Ishbel Zuurmond chased down a lofted pass and glided past the recovering defender, her low cross found Gillies and there was little Bell could do to prevent the ball hitting the back of the net. The Zuurmond-Gillies combination made it two goals in two minutes, Zuurmond’s lofted pass finding the run of Gillies’ who raced clear and slotted the ball beyond Bell.
Phoebe Baker linked with Durrant to test Bell once more, with Gillies turning provider for Sarah Stacey, the City forward unable to steer the cross towards goal. Moments later, Stacey’s deft flick released Gillies and she fired narrowly wide of the Town goal. Stacey had a golden opportunity to add a third but her connection to Zuurmond’s cross was not enough to directthe ball towards goal.
After all the Grecian's pressure the spell towards half time led to some complacency, good opportunities to add to the scoreline squandered with some loose passing. Britton’s side would head into the break with a deserved two goal lead.
Second Half
Pollock broke into the penalty area just minutes into the second half to set up a third, her cross allowing Gillies to round Bell and fire into the empty net. It was the City strikers third hat trick of the season, following on from trebles against Hashtag United and Fulham
Pollock set Gillies up again with a replica move, this time the effort was wide at the near post. Jaydee Seaman forced Bell into a smart stop from a corner before Zuurmond again tested the visiting goalkeeper as she cut inside and struck towards goal.
City had found a far more efficient rhythm to their play in the second half and Gillies would be the player to make it four, Phoebe Baker’s lofted pass expertly controlled into her path before slotting beyond Bell. A strike that took the city forward to the top of the league’s goalscoring charts.
A stunning stop from Bell denied Stacey before the Grecians added two late goals. Jasmine Styles was making her City debut and after an early booking made it five with the goal of the afternoon, curling an effort into the top corner from Zuurmond’s set back.
A neat touch from Gillies drew a foul as the clocked ticked beyond the ninety minutes, Stacey placing the ball on the penalty spot and calmly converting for a sixth.
Up Next
Abbie Britton’s side will head to Marine Academy Plymouth in the Devon Challenge Cup on Sunday (2.00pm KO,) before heading to Home Park to face Plymouth Argyle in their next league fixture on February 18th (7.30pm KO)
Match Details
Exeter City XI
Bond (GK) (Giles 46'), Toogood, Seaman (C), Slocombe (Poole 46'), Baker, Stacey, Zuurmond, Durrant, Gillies, Burridge (Styles 67'), Pollock
Exeter City Unused Subs
Britton
Goalscorers
Gillies (11', 12', 48', 77'), Styles (88'), Stacey (90')
Billericay Town XI
Bell (GK), Hickman (Pita 83'), Galbally, Santiago (Dunbar 86'), Evans, Ralston, McAniskey (Priest 65'), Ledwidge (Drewitt 83'), Ford, Smith (GK), Addy (Windsor 46')
Billericay Town Unuses Subs
Morgan, Whitelock
Attendance
749