Exeter City Women suffered Devon derby defeat as two second half goals secured all three points for Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on a wet and windy Wednesday night in Plymouth.

Manager Abbie Britton made three changes from the side that beat MAP in the Devon FA Challenge Cup, as Phoebe Baker, Sophie Gillies and Ishbel Zuurmond came back into the side and new signing Ellie Sargent joined the matchday squad.

First Half

A strong tackle from Leah Burridge denied an early opportunity for the hosts, Sophie Gillies shooting from distance as the Grecians looked to break out of their defensive shape. Burridge fired an effort over the top of Hermione Cull’s crossbar as Abbie Britton’s side were offering a threat to counter Argyle’s control of possession.

Gillies broke into the penalty area after hustling the ball away from the home defence, her chop inside was met with a strong tackle to deny a clear shooting chance.

Marie Hourihan’s side had controlled the tempo of the half, but the Grecian’s defence had looked comfortable with no saves for Abbi Bond to make and the teams headed to the break goalless.

Second Half

Phoebe Hampson volleyed an effort into the hands of Bond as the home side looked to up the tempo, Una Lue sliced an attempt at goal wide as Argyle began to create the chances their territory warranted.

A foul by Layla Proctor looked set to reduce the home side to ten as she felled Sarah Stacey as City looked to break, the referee deciding only a talking to was necessary. The player’s substitution minutes later suggested that Hourihan was aware of the disciplinary tightrope her player was walking.

The Grecians had been resolute in defence, and it looked like a moment of magic may decide the contest, it would be Hampson who delivered for Argyle. Her driven effort finding the top corner, much to the delight of the large home crowd.

Lue volleyed wide before Bond denied Kivel, Jaydee Seaman’s defensive header finding the roof of the net as the home side looked to kill off the game.

Yet it would the Grecians who found some big moments as the clock ticked down, Gillies’ slaloming through tackles to present a shooting chance that Ishbel Zuurmond and Amber Pollock both attempted to strike, sadly spoiling the chance for each other.

Emily Toogood’s deep cross bounced over Cull and only a fingertip prevented the equaliser, Ellie Sara’s back post header from the resulting corner somehow dropping the wrong side of the post.

With City pushed forward there was, for the first time in the game, space to exploit and Tianna Teisar raced on to a through ball and sealed the game with a deft flick over the advancing Bond deep into injury time.

A resilient effort from Britton’s side, more of the same against Lewes on Sunday will be required to secure the three points.

Up Next

Abbie Britton's side make the trip back to the Dripping Pan on Sunday, taking on Lewes in a 2pm kick-off.

Supporters who attended the original game will have been contacted directly by Lewes. Tickets can be purchased here.

Match Details

Plymouth Argyle XI

Cull (GK), Lue, Hampson, Proctor (Dalton 66'), Poole, Kivel (C), Wilson (Stephens 90+2), Wilcock (Smith 90+2'), Noble, Francis (Teisar 45+1'), Suttie.

Plymouth Argyle Unused Subs

Brogan (GK), Stowell (GK), Papaioannou.

Goals

Hampson 65', Teisar 90+2'

Exeter City XI

Bond (GK), Poole, Sandland, Seaman (C), Toogood, Burridge, Baker (Slocombe 76'), Zuurmond, Pollock, Stacey (Sara 76'), Gillies.

Exeter City Unused Subs

Giles (GK), Britton, Styles, Sargent.