Portishead Town vs Exeter City FC on 27 Nov 22 - Match Centre

Exeter City Women head to North Somerset on Sunday where Portishead Town will provide the opposition as the Grecians will be seeking a place in the FA Cup Third Round for only the second time in the past twenty years.

Portishead have enjoyed a strong start to the season, building on last season’s creditable 8th place finish. Good summer recruitment has seen the acquisition of former Bridgwater United players Ellie Strippel and Ellie Bell, talented Ffian James signed from Barry Town and Rhian Robbins returns further south after her brief spell at Cheltenham Town at the end of last season.

After a tough start, with heavy defeats against Cardiff and AFC Bournemouth, Town picked up wins against Larkhall Athletic and Maidenhead United. A home defeat to Moneyfields dented momentum, but a thumping win over Southampton Women’s FC coupled with a penalty shootout victory at Moneyfields saw the North Somerset side consolidate their league position and advance in Cup Competition.

The two teams met in early October, the Grecians winning by three goals to nil on a wet and windy evening. Two goals from Sarah Stacey and one from Connie Pengelly saw City pick up the points, but Portishead have been in strong form since. Big wins against lower league opposition in County Cup and FA Cup ties has seen Town score twenty-two goals in three games, underlining their growing strength as a team in the National League.

Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s side enjoyed a fantastic FA Cup run last season as they reached Round Four and will be hopeful of further progress on Sunday. City are in good form, with eight successive wins, and will be hoping the weather stays clear over the weekend for this eagerly anticipated fixture to go ahead.

Exeter City Women fell to their first defeat in nine at Portishead Town on Sunday afternoon, ending their hopes of an FA Cup run this season.

With the match subject to an early morning pitch inspection, City started brightly on a tricky surface, winning a series of corners and asking questions of the home defence. However, it would be Portishead that would strike first, a ball over the City defence was poorly read by the Grecians backline and allowed Emily Lindsey plenty of time to stride clear and calmly slot past Abbi Bond.

City were working the ball into good areas but too often failing to execute an accurate delivery, Chloe Fensome comfortably able to claim the Grecians’ attempts to find their strike force without needing to stray too far from the goal line. Chloe Gilroy was offering the most accuracy towards the frontline, her deep cross headed over the top by Jenna Markham, as City looked to pull themselves level.

Emily Toogood had scored a wonderful free kick in the previous round, her dipping effort from a similar position on the pitch as close as City would come in the first half.

The Grecians began the second half maintaining a desire for patient build up, Markham nearly breaking a stoic Town backline before Gilroy fired narrowly wide. Phoebe Baker struck a fierce effort that was bravely blocked but the Possets had City contained, on a heavy pitch where it was a struggle to move the ball quickly, Town defended the penalty box with ease and maintained their threat with the pace of Lindsey and Rosie Hill

Corner kicks looked the best chance for a City goal and when Toogood’s delivery was dropped under pressure from Jess Sandland, with Markham scoring the rebound, it appeared the Grecians had a way back into the game. The referee’s whistle was quickly blown for a generous free kick and it had the feeling of ‘one of those days.’

Ellie Strippel sealed the tie with a fantastic strike from distance, her free kick looping over Bond into the top corner and earning Town a deserved place in Round Three.

No complaints from City, their eight-match winning run has seen some exceptionally high levels of performance and those levels were simply not maintained on Sunday. With three big games ahead before the Christmas break, including a very tough League Cup tie against higher level opposition MK Dons on Sunday, Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s team will be looking to bounce back and set up an exciting 2023.

Exeter City FC

📝 Women's FA Cup Match Preview: Portishead Town (A)

📝 Women's Match Report: Portishead Town 2 City 0