Exeter City Women suffered a heavy defeat as they returned to Lewes for the replay of their abandoned fixture three weeks prior.

The Grecians travelled to the Dripping Pan looking to bounce back following Wednesday night's defeat to Plymouth Argyle at Home Park. With the two teams separated by just two points, City had the chance to leapfrog Lewes and continue their rise up the division after a somewhat turbulent opening few games.

New signing Ellie Sargent was amongst Bow Jackson, Beth Ireland, Maddie Durrant, Georgia Vaccaro, Leah Burridge and Carly Kelland in the injury list meaning that Abbie Britton was forced to name herself on the bench for a fourth game in a row as the Grecians continued to battle an ever present injury crisis within the team.

First Half

Heavy rain caused an hour delay to kick off as the Grecians squad began to fear the worse for the third scheduling of this fixture, however heroic work from the Lewes grounds team ensured the game went ahead.

Olivia Carpenter drilled a shot into the side netting as the hosts started brightly, a fierce hiteffort from distance just dipping on to the roof of Abbi Bond’s net as the pressure mounted.

Sarah Stacey had the Grecians first effort on goal, turning and firing over from the edge of the penalty area following a deflected defensive clearance.

After seemingly weathering the early Lewes attack, City fell behind from a mistake, a pass back to Bond was intercepted and dispatched into the far corner of the net by Carpenter. As the Grecians tried to settle into the game and implement their own game plan, they would self-destruct as the half drew to a close.

Ruby Seaby eased past the City backline and delivered a low cross that was met by defensiveindecision and converted from close range by a grateful Leah Lane. A series of errors led to the third Lewes goal, the Grecians misplaced passes making it all too easy for Paula Howellsto gain possession and fire an unstoppable effort into the roof of the net.

The hosts rampant at the break and City unable to make an impact on the game.

Second Half

Emily Moore was called into action as the second half commenced, Sophie Gillies racing clear only to see her low effort kept out by the legs of the home goalkeeper. Ishbel Zuurmond hit a dipping effort that landed on the roof of net as the Grecians began the half with the type of flow and rhythm to their play that had been missing in the first half.

Bond denied the lively Chelsea Ferguson as the home side continued to pose a threat, but City were now matching their hosts, Amber Pollock driving into the penalty area where her low cross was collected by Moore at her near post. Gillies’ cut back to Phoebe Baker was blocked by the home defence as Abbie Britton’s side continued to look for a way back into the game

Missed City chances would prove costly as Howells added her second of the game, gaps appearing in the City backline as they pushed forward and the Rooks midfielder slotted her effort into the bottom corner for a fourth goal.

Such is the injury crisis the Grecians are currently facing, it was a return to league action for the first time in five years for Manager Abbie Britton, but despite a red card for Lewes defender Rebekah Trewhitt for a second bookable offence, City could not find the goal that their second half performance had merited.

A difficult period for the Grecians, long term injuries to Maddie Durrant and Georgia Vaccaro alongside lengthy spells on the sideline for Beth Ireland, Bow Jackson and Leah Burridge are a strain to a small squad, but City will be hopeful that new signing Ellie Sargent and the possibility of some returning players in the coming weeks will bring relief to Abbie Britton’s current selection headache.

Up Next

City return to Coach Road for the first time since December as they host Oxford United in the league. Tickets for this game are available now, so be sure to buy your tickets in advance and save by using the link tickets.ecfc.co.uk.

Match Details

Lewes XI

Moore (GK), Brant (C), Schreimaier, Banaras, Godfrey, Carpenter, Seaby, Trewhitt, Howells, Priest, Lane

Lewes Unused Subs

Woods (GK), Ferguson, Roche, Edwards, Ginger, Rowe, Gilligan

Lewes Goalscorers

Carpenter (26'), Lane (40'), Howells (45+3', 79')

Lewes Red Cards

Trewhitt (81')

Exeter City XI

Bond (GK), Poole, Sandland, Seaman (C), Toogood, Slocombe, Baker, Zuurmond, Pollock, Stacey, Gillies

Exeter City Unused Subs

Britton, Sara, Styles

Exeter City Yellow Cards

Toogood (30'), Zuurmond (32'), Britton (90')