Exeter City Women returned to winning ways with a hard fought three points at Hashtag United on Sunday afternoon, a win that sets the Grecians up for a late climb up the National League Southern Premier Division.

As City Women entered the business end of the season, a gradual return of fit players would quell the selection headaches for Abbie Britton and her team. Club captain Bow Jackson found a spot on the bench alongside Beth Ireland likewise recovering from injury, with the XI remaining unchanged from the side that lost to Oxford United a week earlier.

First Half

Abbie Britton’s side began brightly, Amber Pollock cutting inside the home defence and firing an effort that Frances Angel did well to palm away. Pollock was the driving force once more as her run at the backline resulted in a through ball for Sophie Gillies, the City forward’s strike just wide of the far post.

The home side forced a couple of quick chances of their own, Honor Norton’s cut back not meeting a connection that would test Abbi Bond before the United forward tried an ambitious hit from distance that sailed over Bond’s crossbar.

City should have been ahead just after the twenty-minute mark, Pollock the provider once more as she stood up a cross at the back post that Gillie’s volleyed over from close range. Moments later the Grecians would get even closer to the opener, Emily Poole’s pass was flicked into Ellie Sara’s path by Phoebe Baker and the City forward’s low effort struck the post.

Pollock’s driving runs were causing constant concern for the United defence, and her latest foray would force another City corner, Fearne Slocombe’s initial effort was blocked for another corner and from that the City defender climbed highest to head in her first league goal.

After a lengthy spell of pressure, it was the least the Grecians deserved and the teams headed into the break with City good value for their lead.

Second Half

The Hashtag message at half time was clearly to up the intensity in their play as they began the second half with a flurry of chances. Bonnie Horwood struck from distance before Horton should have equalised after tentative City defending allowed her the chance to strike from close range, Bond watching the shot over her crossbar. 

After such a fluid half of possession football, City lost their rhythm and with it the authority on the game, rushed passing offering Hashtag the chance to break before Baker did well to prevent a shooting opportunity on the edge of the penalty area.

Pollock was close to adding a second goal past the hour, the ball deflecting into her path and forcing a fine save from Angel as she was quickly off her line to narrow the angle.

A series of corners for the home side were resolutely defended by the Grecians, Slocombe required to make a clearance at the near post as City were again guilty of carelessness with possession.

A series of substitutions by Britton settled City’s play, Beth Ireland and Bow Jackson returning from injury to a positive effect. Jackson’s downward header from a Sandland corner was a good chance, Gillies would have an even better one with only minutes remaining. Pollock the architect once more, her driving run and cut back scooped over by Gillies as she slid in to take the chance.

Only a third home league defeat for United and the Grecians picking up a valuable three points at a tough venue to win. With players returning from injury and the promise of the Oxford United performance followed up with another competent display and three points, Britton’s team will be looking for a strong finish to the season and a further climb up the division.

Up Next

The Grecians return to The County Ground on Sunday, 15th March when AFC Bournemouth make the trip to TQ12 in the WNL Southern Premier. Tickets for this game are now on sale and can be bought here.

Match Details

Hashtag United XI

Angel (GK), Huseyin, Smith, Heard, Jackson ©, Horwood, Nicholls, Mullan, Samways, Norton, Tomlin

Hashtag United Substitutes

McWalter (GK), Bartlett-Antwi, Walsh, Mulvaney, Nelson-Iye, Adesan

Exeter City XI

Bond (GK), Poole (Jackson 80’), Sandland, Seaman ©, Slocombe, Pollock (Toogood 90+4’), Burridge, Baker (Ireland 80’), Zuurmond, Sara (Stacey 70’), Gillies

Exeter City Unused Substitutes

Giles (GK), Styles

Exeter City Goalscorers

Slocombe (41’)

Exeter City Yellow Cards

Pollock (90+2’), Stacey (90+8’)