Exeter City Women suffered a third successive defeat as a late comeback ensured all three points for Oxford United.
First Half
The visitors were nearly ahead in the opening minutes, Holly Manders exquisite free kick hitting the crossbar and cleared to safety. Sophie Gillies fired City's first effort towards goal, with U’s Captain Riva Casley making the block.
Ruby Sealey got the better of Fearne Slocombe to cut inside and direct an effort towards the top corner, Abbi Bond watching the ball wide. Manders struck from distance as the visitors upped the pressure, this time the ball hit the top of the crossbar on its way over.
Referee Sophie Perry had a decision to make as Gillies was bundled over in the penalty area on twenty five minutes, no penalty was the verdict.
United were offering the greater attacking threat, but the Grecians were playing some of theirbest football for some time, Ellie Sara linking the City attack and the wide threats of Amber Pollock and Emily Poole growing into the contest.
Bond was forced to make a low save as the half came to an end, but it would remain all to play in the second half.
Second Half
The Grecians began the half with a flowing move that led to the opening goal, tight interplay from Poole and Ishbel Zuurmond created space for Gillies to cross and her low effort was poked in at the back post by Pollock.
Alice Bussey was denied by Bond at her near post as United looked for an immediate response, Jaydee Seaman cutting out another threatening cross to deny a chance.
For all of Oxford’s neat play it was a scrappy leveller, Pollock doing well to clear the initialchance off of the goal line before a series of blocks and deflections saw the ball land for Manders to tap in from close range.
Gillies forced a save from Beth Wookey at her near post as the Grecians continued to pose a threat on the counter, Pollock’s run and cross forcing a corner that City could not force a chance from.
The Grecians undoing would be largely of their own making, a loss of possession on the edge of the penalty area forcing a strong save from Bond, but from the resulting corner Casley climbed highest to power a header home for the lead.
If City had calls for a penalty in the first half, Oxford could feel equally unlucky as Emma Thompson was wrestled to the floor, but again referee Perry allowed play to continue.
Abbie Britton’s side continued to press, an excellent defensive header from Shelly Provan clearing the danger with Sarah Stacey ready to pounce, the resulting corner saw an effort on goal from Poole, but the points would be heading back home with Oxford.
After a tough few weeks, this was a more reflective performance of the capabilities of this Grecians squad and with players starting to return from injury there is plenty of optimism to head into the final quarter of the season.
Up Next
City are on the road next weekend when they travel Hashtag United in more FA WNL Southern Premier action.
Match Details
Exeter City XI
Bond (GK), Poole, Sandland, Seaman (C), Slocombe, Pollock, Burridge, Baker, Zuurmond, Sara, Gillies
Exeter City Subs
Giles (GK), Stacey, Styes, Toogood, Jackson
Exeter City Goalscorers
Pollock (49')
Oxford United XI
Wookey (GK), Gibson, Provan, Wiseman, Casley, Thompson, Sealey, Richardson, Barker, Bussey, Manders
Oxford United Subs
Sieradzka, Legg, Jenkins, Trinder, Kendell, Carpenter
Oxford United Goalscorers
Trinder (66'), Casley (78')