Grecians knocked out of cup in Suffolk
A depleted Exeter City Ladies squad were knocked out of the FA Women’s Premier League Cup at the hands of their Ipswich Town counterparts in Suffolk, who were 5-0 victors.Carly Barber, making her debut in goal for the Grecians, was showing agility and command of her six-yard box and was a key factor in keeping the score level past the half-hour mark.
But in the 33rd minute the deadlock was finally broken when a loose ball around the edge of the City area allowed Ipswich captain Danni Bitten to fire the Tractor Girls into the lead.
Carla Staddon was impressing in midfield for Exeter and came close on a few occasions to levelling, only to narrowly clear the crossbar from distance.
However it was the hosts that scored next just shy of half-time, as a cross-shot deceived everyone to creep in at the far post.
Summer signing Chloe Williams almost reduced the arrears before the interval by charging down a weak clearance from a backpass to Ipswich stopper Chloe Wood – however a goalline scramble eventually saw the home side clear their lines.
More pressure from the hosts saw a third goal midway through the second period when Aimee Harrison, Ipswich’s towering centre-half, planted a header past Barber. A fourth followed when an under-hit backpass allowed an Ipswich striker to nip in.
The fifth and final goal followed with two minutes remaining – Exeter’s offside appeal fell on deaf ears as sub Molly Hall got on the end of an Amanda Crump cross.
Heart and desire were on show from Exeter, but a severely-reduced squad was always going to make it a difficult afternoon.