Exeter City Women bounced back with a commanding performance against Gwalia United in Cardiff and move themselves into sixth position in the WNL Southern Premier Division.
The Grecians travelled to South Wales looking for a return to winning ways after a disappointing result at home to Cheltenham Town the week beforehand, with Gwalia themselves wanting a win to help climb out of the bottom two in the league.
Abbie Britton made two changes to the team from the previous week, with Fearne Slocombe and Maddie Durrant rejoining the XI and Georgia Vaccaro rejoining the bench following illness & injury setbacks for Sarah Stacey and Ellie Sara.
First Half
After a disappointing few weeks, the Grecians were behind once more in the opening minutes, Casi Gregson given the freedom of the City penalty area to plant a firm header into the bottom corner. The goal acted as a wakeup call for Abbie Britton’s side as they began to dominate proceedings, Amber Pollock driving at the home defence and delivering a series of crosses for the home side to defend.
Sophie Gillies and Maddie Durrant’s interchange allowed Durrant to stride towards goal, her effort narrowly wide of the far post. Gillies was provider again as her mazy run and cross somehow evaded all three of the Grecians attacking players. Durrant and Gillies both testing United Goalkeeper Benedicte Haaland from distance as the pressure began to mount on the home side.
City would find the equaliser on the half hour mark, and it was a moment of quality that delivered it. Ishbel Zuurmond’srun and pass to find Gillies allowed the Grecians leading scorer to find the top corner with a brilliant effort.
Pollock’s pace and power continued to pose a threat and her persistance and delivery would give her side the lead, a chipped cross from the byline finding the head of Zuurmond. Two quickly became three, Zuurmond pouncing on indecision from the home defence to take the loose ball around Haaland and slot into the empty net.
A commanding lead at the break and the belief that more goals would come if the performance from the Grecians attack maintained.
Second Half
The Zuurmond-Pollock-Gillies combo delivered another chance in the opening minutes of the second half, Gillies volleying wide after another precise cross from Pollock. The influential Pollock would be involved in the next City goal as she was tripped in the penalty area, Leah Burridge firing in her first Grecians goal to make it four.
Gwalia continued to offer a threat with crosses and balls over the top proving a difficult source for City to prevent at present, Daisy Ackerman thumping the crossbar with an effort from distance as the hosts looked for a way back into the game.
However, such is the quality of the City squad, changes tend to strengthen the performance not weaken it and Britton’s side would again finish strongly. Beth Ireland found the run of Pollock and her inviting cross was headed in by Georgia Vaccaro. Number six followed five minutes later, Gillies’ persistence allowed her to steal possession in the Gwalia penalty area and her cut back was converted by Vaccaro from close range.
The sixteen-year-old now has five goals in her last seven games, starting only one of those fixtures, and is fast enhancing her reputation as a star of the future and one that the Grecians will be looking to build around in coming seasons.
Ireland blocked a late effort after patient play from the home side, but it was City's day and a welcome three points after a tough run of results.
A mixed first half of the season, but the vibrancy, pace and athleticism in the City attack certainly offers hope that the second half of the season can offer more points and a continual upward momentum for the team.
Up Next
City return to league action on 4th January, making the trip across the South coast to face Lewes away from home. Tickets for this game can be bought on their website following this link.
Gwalia United XI: Haaland (GK), Thomas, S. Vine, Jones, McGowan, Quick, Pearce, O'Keefe, Gregson, Ackerman, Williams-Mills (C)
Gwalia United unused subs: A. Vine, Asker, Sanford, Yarwood, Broadhurst
Goalscorers: Gregson (8')
Exeter City XI: Giles (GK), Poole, Slocombe, Seaman (C)(Jackson 71'), Toogood, Pollock, Baker (Ireland 71'), Burridge (Sandland 83'), Zuurmond, Durrant (Vaccaro 71'), Gillies
Exeter City unused subs: Bond (GK)
Goalscorers: Gillies (28'), Zuurmond (40', 42'), Burridge (65'), Vaccaro (77', 84')