Exeter City Women came within minutes of breaking AFC Bournemouth’s 900-day undefeated league run, but a late Jenna Markham strike assured both teams had to settle for a point.
Sophie Gillies opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, and City looked good value for the lead, having two further goals ruled out for offside. A red card for Mollie Taylor 30 minutes from time put City down to 10 before a late leveller meant it finished in deadlock at Ringwood.
First half
The home side started in a confident manner, Kenni Thompson’s cross headed over thecrossbar by Georgia Wilson with only five minutes played. A last-ditch challenge from Jaydee Seaman prevented Markham a shooting chance before Wilson again headed over the crossbar, this time from a Sophie Quirk cross. The former Plymouth Argyle attacker will still be wondering how she did not add two goals to her name from the early chances, timing her run perfectly on both occasions but heading high.
After surviving the early storm, City took the lead with their first attacking play. Mollie Taylor won the back post header from a Phoebe Baker corner, Bow Jackson heading the ballgoalwards and Sophie Gillies converting from close range for her third goal of the season.
The Cherries were dominating territory, with Abbi Bond required to manage her penalty areavigilantly as a succession of crosses and through balls came her way, but the Grecians were able to prevent another meaningful chance in the half.
It was proving to be an attritional game, with the ball in the air more than on the grass and City unable to gain any meaningful possession to attack the home side. A battling half ended with that Gillies goal separating the sides.
Second half
A bright start to the second half saw Leah Burridge volley into the grateful hands of Erin Foley before Sarah Stacey’s volleyed finish from a tight angle was ruled offside.
With the game in the balance, City were reduced to ten, Mollie Taylor sent off for a second offence of kicking the ball away.
Gillies had the ball in the net with ten minutes to play, Stacey’s shot parried into her path by Foley but up went the flag again. Two very tight calls not going the Grecians way.
With a succession of crosses and resolute defending of their penalty area successfully negotiated, it was going to take something special to break down the City back line and that moment would come from Markham. The former Grecian pouncing on a poor clearance to fire a shot into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Bond palmed away a Quirk cross as eight minutes of injury time was signalled, before a counter from Ellie Sara and Maddie Durrant gave city a half chance to win the game but Durrant’s cross was cut out by the retreating Bournemouth defence.
A hard-fought point for Abbie Britton’s side, Bournemouth will rue their early missed chances whilst City will leave disappointed to have conceded late in the game and have seen two goals ruled out whilst leading.
Up next
City return to Coach Road this Sunday, September 7, to host Southampton PGA in the League Cup. You can get your tickets for that clash here!
Exeter City Women XI: Bond, Poole, Seaman (Slocombe, 46'), Jackson (C), Taylor, Pollock, Burridge, Baker (Ireland, 88'), Zuurmond (Durrant, 88'), Stacey, Gillies (Sara, 94').
Subs: Giles (GK), Toogood, Everson.
Goal: Gillies 11'
Red card: Taylor 66'
Attendance: 372