City Women exited the FA Cup at the second round stage at the hands of Portsmouth in a 5-2 defeat.
Although City took an early lead, it was a tough lesson in taking chances against a strong Portsmouth side who sit two places above them in the league table.
Team news
Abbie Britton made two changes to the starting XI from the league game against Swindon, for the FA Cup second round tie against Portsmouth played at Silver Street, Willand. Emily Poole and Charlotte Whitmore replaced Tia Asker and Georgia Vaccaro.
First half
It was a scrappy first few minutes with both teams struggling to keep possession and the ball moving back and forth between the two sides. Exeter created the first opportunity from a free kick which was struck firmly but straight at the Portsmouth keeper. She quickly released the ball up to the opposite end which required Erin Foley to make a good save.
Things then looked good for the Grecians when they took the lead in the 5th minute. The ball was quickly moved forward and Charlotte Whitmore finished with her right foot, sending it along the floor and into the right hand side of the goal.
However, the lead didn’t last long and Portsmouth responded almost instantly. Following a goalmouth scramble, where the city defenders struggled to clear their line, the ball eventually ended in the City goal for the equaliser.
The visitors sustained pressure onto the Grecians as the half progressed, particularly when the rain started to get heavier. Foley made two brilliant saves from close range following a Portsmouth free kick from just outside the box.
However, City began to look dangerous on the counter attack and when Foley kicked it long for Whitmore to chase, she dinked it over the keeper but it faded agonisingly wide.
The Grecians continued to test the keeper and shots from Ishbel Zuurmond and Whitmore kept City fans hoping for a lead before half time. Whitmore had another shot in the 41st minute from outside of the box but it was too high and ended up going over the bar.
Teams went in at half time all square at 1-1.
Second half
Britton made no changes at the break, and City started the half strongly.
Zuurmond had an early attempt on goal before the visitors hit the post in the 50th minute. City continued to create chances, but they all came to nothing. City were punished for not taking their chances when Portsmouth scored two goals in two minutes, to lead 3-1 with 62 minutes on the clock.
However, the Grecians were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty as Ellie Sara was pulled back in the box. Sara put the penalty away with ease and brought City back into the game.
Britton immediately brought fresh legs onto the pitch, with Vaccaro and Darcey Maxted replacing Phoebe Baker and Whitmore.
Unfortunately, City failed to capitalise on any momentum gained from their goal and the game slipped away from them when Portsmouth scored two more quick fire goals in the 75th and 78th minute.
Two further changes for City were made with Emily Pitman and Beth McGowan coming on for Emily Poole and Nia Lewis.
The game was delayed for 11 minutes to allow one of the Portsmouth players to receive treatment for a nasty looking leg injury. When the game restarted, Sandland replaced Slocombe, but with little time left on the clock, City failed to create any further clear cut chances and their cup run came to an end for another year.
City host Portsmouth again in a weeks’ time when they play each other at SJP in the league.
Exeter City Women: Foley, Pollock, Llewellyn, Slocombe (Sandland 99'), Papaioannou, Poole (McGowan 78') , Baker (Maxted 65'), Lewis (Pitman 78'), Zuurmond (C), Whitmore (Vaccaro 65'), Sara
Substitutes not used: Bell (GK), Asker
Goals: Whitmore 5', Sara 64'
Written by Abi Poole