Exeter City Women were well beaten as Watford took a giant stride towards the WNL Southern Premier Division title at Vicarage Road on Sunday afternoon.

A week on from a home victory against Real Bedford, the onus was on Exeter City to continue working towards a positive end to the 2025/26 WNL Southern Premier Division season. While the Grecians came into the game perched in sixth place, the hosts were set to be arguably the toughest opponent Abbie Britton's side had faced as the Hornets pushed towards the league title.

A sole change to the lineup came as club captain Bow Jackson rejoined the starting eleven for the first time since suffering injury in the abandoned Lewes game in February. On the bench, Georgia Vaccaro was also named for the first time since suffering injury earlier in the season.

First Half

The home side started with all the confidence of a team preparing for life in the Women’s Super League 2, Fearne Slocombe blocking an early effort before Coral-Jade Haines fired a shot into the arms of Abbi Bond.

A flowing Watford move and finish was cancelled out by the linesman’s flag, City surviving a tight call before creating a chance of their own. Jess Sandland’s ever reliable set piece delivery met the head of Ishbel Zuurmond, her effort deflected wide from close range.

The Grecians had settled after a frantic start and had a golden opportunity to take the lead, Sandland’s pass allowing Amber Pollock to drive into the space, her shot hitting the base of the post before falling into the hands of Watford Goalkeeper Sophie Hillyerd.

The lineman’s flag came to the Grecians rescue for the third time in the half, this one the closest of the three, as the home side became frustrated that their high chance creation had not resulted in an opening goal.

Another Sandland delivery was hacked away from the Watford goal line as Leah Burridge looked to pounce, Zuurmond testing Hillyerd with an effort from distance as City went punch for punch with the home side.

Bond produced a fine save as Watford threatened again, getting a fingertip to a low driven effort, before the home side found their goal on the brink of halftime. City’s causual defending in wide areas was punished by Maddie Perry heading in from close range as the Grecians defence failed to clear the danger.

Bond was called into action once more as she palmed a long-distance effort onto the crossbar, but the Grecians would go into the break trailing by one.

Second Half

If the conversation in the City changing room at half time was ‘stick or twist,’ twist was a clear winner as City looked to commit bodies forward in the opening of the half. Sophie Gillies with two early chances, hitting over as Hillyerd dropped a Sandland set piece before heading over from a Slocombe cross.

Bond was at her best once more to deny Watford a second, blocking a close-range effort as City failed to clear the initial cross.

Different linesman, same result for the home side moments later, a fourth goal of the afternoon ruled out for offside. Bond added to her afternoons collection of ‘saves of the season’ with arguably the best of the lot, tipping an effort past the post from a low drive.

Whilst the home side may have been lamenting their luck with officials, the desire for a second goal always looked like bringing its reward, Watford opening up the City defence and a low cross converted by Anna Filbey just past the hour mark.

With the Grecians committed to the ‘twist’ option, the game became spread and Watford began to run riot. Maddie Perry converted from close range for number three before Florence Fyfe raced clear to slot beyond Bond for number four.

Sarah Stacey forced Hillyerd into a save at her near post as the clock ran down, but it was Watford who would score again, Bond losing the ball under pressure and Megan Chandler tapping in from close range.

A sobering defeat for the Grecians, but with full acknowledgement that Renee Hector’s Golden Girls are the best team City have faced since their rise to tier three in 2024.

Up Next

With two games to go, Abbie Britton’s still have every chance of finishing the season positively, with a visit to AFC Wimbledon and Gwalia United at St James Park to come.

More information regarding the Gwalia United Tickets can be found here.

Match Details

Watford XI

Hillyerd (GK), Skyers, Chandler (C), Lyon (McLean 83'), Filbey, Georgiou (Carpenter 63'), Wilson, Haines (Rossiter 85'), Paul (Gray 83'), Perry, Fyfe (Ayisi 83')

Watford Unused Subs

Mcsheffrey (GK), Whitelock

Watford Goalscorers

Perry (45+2', 75'), Filbey (67'), Fyfe (76'), Chandler (90')

Exeter City XI

Bond (GK), Jackson (C) (Poole 70'), Sandland (Toogood 77'), Seaman, Slocombe, Pollock, Burridge, Ireland (Baker 70'), Zuurmond, Stacey (Styles 90'), Gillies (Sara 77')

Exeter City Unused Subs

Giles (GK), Vaccaro