City Women made it a winning start to their 2025/26 season with a hard-fought 2-0 win against Cheltenham Town Women in Gloucestershire.
After a goalless first half where the Robins created the better chances, captain Bow Jackson broke the deadlock with a looping header midway through the second 45. Just over ten minutes later, Sophie Gillies doubled the advantage, latching onto Sarah Stacey’s clever flick to secure all three points.
Abbie Britton handed Leah Burridge her City debut in a side that still largely consisted of players who had taken the Grecians up from tier four over a year ago. Bow Jackson captained the team in her second season at the helm, while the familiar strike partnership of Gillies and Stacey continued up top. New arrivals Emily Poole and Georgina Presswell were unavailable as the club awaits international clearance.
First half
The hosts began the stronger of the two sides, with Abbi Bond forced into making a great save in just the third minute.
A short free-kick 30 yards from goal caught City out, and the ball was flicked round the corner into Exeter’s box for Una Lue. The forward’s shot was pushed onto the crossbar by Bond, before the follow-up was sent over the bar by a Robin.
City took their time to build, and in the 11th minute Stacey was the first to pressurise Town’s keeper when her flicked header, from Amber Pollock’s cross, had to be pushed away from danger.
Pollock provided again for Zuurmond moments later but her header went over, before Bond held a Libby Bell header.
Some in the crowd at Kayte Lane thought Cheltenham opened the scoring just past the half hour mark when Louise Apuusi unleashed a low drive across the box, but it dinked off the far post. Bond had to again be called upon seconds after when a long ball wasn’t dealt with by City’s backline, but again Lue was denied.
Lue had the final chance of the half but couldn’t find the target as a nervy-looking City headed into the break.
Second half
In terms of personnel, City came out unchanged after the interval, but on the pitch they were transformed.
Seven minutes into the half, a corner was recycled back into the area by Mollie Taylor’s looping ball, and Jackson climbed highest to aim a dipping header into the corner for 1-0.
With the breakthrough secured, Exeter seized control. Stacey tested the keeper from range, Gillies lobbed just over, then struck the base of the post before Stacey’s rebound went high.
The second goal soon arrived with a touch of class: Jackson’s long ball was expertly flicked on by Stacey, and Gillies raced clear to finish calmly.
Cheltenham rallied late on, but it was City who continued to threaten. A debut effort from Sara was held by the keeper, while Jaydee Seaman saw a header cleared off the line amid handball appeals waved away by the referee. From the bench, Beth Ireland made her 50th Grecians appearance as Britton’s side saw the game out professionally to claim an opening-day victory.
Next up
City head to Portishead Town for Thursday night WNL League Cup action before Sunday’s first home game of the season, as we host Lewes at Coach Road. Get your tickets now!
Exeter City Women XI: Bond, Sandland (Ireland, 75’), Seaman, Jackson (C), Taylor, Pollock (Everson, 85’), Burridge (Sara, 69’), Baker, Zuurmond, Stacey, Gillies (Vaccaro, 75’).
Subs Giles (GK), Toogood
Goals: Jackson 53’, Gillies 66’