The Devon Derby spoils were shared at St James Park as City Women and Plymouth Argyle Women played out an entertaining 1-1 draw on a cold Wednesday night.
 
City took the lead as Sophie Gillies notched her 100th goal in red and white before substitute Tianna Teisar scored an equaliser for the Greens in front of a crowd of over 1600.
 
Manager Abbie Britton made eight changes from the side that put six past Torquay United on Sunday in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Abbi Bond returned between the sticks, and captain Bow Jackson and Amber Pollock made their returns from injury.
 
Most notable in the line-up was Mollie Talyor, who made her final appearance for Exeter City Women after five years in red and white.
 
First half:
 
The visitors got the game underway and were quickly on the front foot, looking to test the City back line in the opening exchanges. Strong defending from the returning Bow Jackson kept the first Argyle attack quiet and City were happy to let the game settle down early on.
 
Sophie Gillies chased down every ball into the Argyle half and managed to dispossess Ella Stephens before driving towards goal, but it was a strong recovery tackle from the Argyle player to thwart the attack.
 
The first effort on goal saw Argyle’s Olivia Francis pick up the ball on the right before cutting inside and shooting low, but the effort curled away from the near post and out for a goal kick.
 
The Grecians forced their first corner in the fourteenth minute after quick control and lob forward from Taylor found Gillies running through on goal, she spun her marker but as she was about to shoot a last-ditch tackle diverted the ball away.
 
A pair of chances for each side would follow; Gilies striking the ball from distance which was collected on the bounce by Cull. Down the other end Stephens shot from distance looped comfortably over the crossbar.
 
As the game approached half hour, the rapid Amber Pollock had her first chance to stretch her legs and run with the ball, but her dangerous delivery across goal was headed away by Roisin Kivel in the Argyle defence.
 
City were creating some problems of their own at the back which allowed Poole to shoot from the edge of the box, but her shot was sliced and well wide of the City goal.
 
The biggest talking point of the half came after 39 minutes. Gillies intercepted a loose ball at the back and looked to be pulled back by Smith, but the referee sees nothing in the challenge and played on. The teams went into the break level after an even first 45.

Second half:

Abbie Britton made one change at half-time, with Maddie Durrant replacing Beth Ireland in midfield. Straight away City were on the front foot, Pollock testing Cull with a strike from distance.

With 55 minutes on the clock the visitors had the best chance of the night to break the deadlock. City were exposed down their right and Suttie picked out Whitmore who drove forward and cut back to Poole, thankfully for the Grecians her shot was off target.

Moments later a ball over the top finds Gillies, she moves towards goal and chops inside and looks to be held back by her defender earning City a free kick which was played short to Durrant but her effort sailed into the Big Bank.

The game really kicked into life, and it was City who were pushing to take the lead. An Argyle clearance was charged down, and Durrant hit it first time from distance. Cull got fingertips to it to push it on the bar and away – a fantastic stop.

A moment of magic from Gillies tested Cull as she picked a ball up on the edge of the area before twisting and turning and making space for a shot which was well kept out.

Seconds later the deadlock was broken! City pushed and pushed through Pollock as she drove with the ball before shooting low leading to another good save from Cull. Stacey picked up the loose ball and Cull was again forced to make a reaction save but Gillies was quickest to pounce and put City into the lead. Her 100th goal in City colours!

The goal gave the Grecians confidence as they went searching for a second. Gillies almost first to a loose ball at the back, before Zuurmond looked to shoot at goal, strong defending from the Greens kept City at bay.

City’s lead would only last seven minutes as they were caught out down the right and Teisar found space inside just inside the area before shooting low and into the corner make it 1-1.

With under ten minutes to go, Abbie made two changes with Ellie Sara and Phoebe Baker replacing Staey and Slocombe.

The visitors pushed to go ahead and had a half chance as Suttie founds space inside the box but her low shot was comfortable for Bond.

Despite pressure from both sides, neither were able to find a winner and the game finished with both teams taking a point a piece.

Up Next

City women make the long trip to face Billericay Town Women on Sunday in 2pm kick-off in the FA Women’s National League South.

Exeter City Women: Bond, Zuurmond, Seaman, Jackson (c), Taylor, Pollock (Poole 88’), Ireland (Durrant 45’), Burridge, Slocombe (Baker 82’), Stacey (Sara 82’), Giles

Subs not used: Giles (GK), Sandland, Toogood

Yellow: Zuurmond 60’, Seaman 87’, Burridge 91’

Goal: Gillies 71’

Plymouth Argyle Women: Cull, Proctor, Whitmore (Teisar 72’), Poole, Kivel (C), Stephens (Wilson 76’), Dalton, Smith, Noble, Francis, Suttie

Subs not used: Brogan (GK), Dickson, Papaioannou,, Wilcock, Dolbel.

Yellow: Kivel 49’

Goal: Teisar 80’

Attendance: 1673 (126 away)