Ladies win first outing on home soil
Exeter City Ladies were 3-0 winners against St Nicholas on their first competitive outing at their new home at St Martins, Exminster.A bright start was rewarded with a sixth-minute goal when Tash Knapman’s threaded ball for strike-partner Helen Kukor allowed the forward to slot in the first.
Sophie Simpson’s injury midway through the first period brought an enforced change, with Lola Garcia Sanchez called into action – and it wasn’t too long before she added her name to the scoresheet.
It was Knapman’s corner that found Catherine Wright, who improvised a back-hell to test the goalkeeper – the shot was pushed onto the post but Garcia Sanchez followed in from close range.
Kate Hine and Sophie Russell were marshalling the defence well, and the latter had to be at her best to block out a follow-up effort after Carly Barber had made a save on the stretch.
The lead was extended to three soon after the break when Knapman received with back to goal out on the right – with a great bit of skill she turned her defender and powered an effort inside the near post on her left foot.