Page 29 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.17 2021-22

Grecians earn Baggies tie
Southampton Women 0 Exeter City 3
Exeter City claimed a place in the Fourth
Round of the Vitality Women's F A Cup and a
trip to play West Bromwich Albion in the New
Year after a fine 3 0 away win at Southampton
Women.
Two well taken Connie Pengelly goals
gave the Devon side an interval lead which was
extended soon after the restart by Sarah
Stacey's header and , hard though the hosts
tried to get back into the tie, Exeter deserved
their victory, a ninth successive win in all
competitions.
Southampton started brightly but the
first real chance came from an Exeter corner
when a Mollie Taylor effort was cleared off the Rachel Okoro is tackled by Manfy Sharpe
line by Lauren Cheshire on 16 minutes. Stacey then (www.jamesprickett.co.uk).
went close twice before Southampton's first good
effort on goal. a Kiera Heslam free kick which flew just over on 26 minutes.
Exeter took the lead from a low Taylor cross from the right swept home on the
run by Pengelly on 34 minutes. A Heslam free kick nearly led to an equaliser but a far
post Britt Jeal header flew inches wide.
The visitors doubled their lead on 45 minutes when Pengelly latched on to a
through ball to finish low past Ellie Parker. Any hope of a big start to the second half
by Southampton were soon dashed as Pengelly turned provider with a corner met by a
looping header from Stacey for a crucial third on 48 minutes.
Pengelly rattled the bar with a lovely turn and curling 15-yard effort on 57
minutes but Southampton began to dominate as they tried to rescue the tie. Abbi Bond
in the Exeter goal had to be quick off her line on two occasions whilst Jaydee Seaman
cleared another effort off the line,
The best chance of a home goal fell to sub Hannah Samuels after Sian Wylie had
gone round Bond on 79 minutes but the shot flew over. Exeter saw out the match with
some comfort to claim a Fourth Round spot after a very impressive team effort, solid
in defence and always dangerous going forward.
The result may have gone against them but the host club worked very hard to
make a special occasion of the match at their Arlebury Park home, welcoming every
spectator with festive food, drink and gifts for young attendees. However, it was the
sizeable away support who were celebrating with their team after a job well done.
Southampton Women: Ellie Parker, Kiera Heslam, Rachel Okoro, Chloe Tucker,
Sam Burt, Sian Wylie, Britt Jeal, EJ May, Lauren Cheshire, Emma Whitlock, Lucy
Mear. Subs: Gracie White, Aliss Wheeler, Aimee Lawrence, Laura Vokes, Hannah
Samuels.
Exeter City: Abbi Bond, Jaydee Seaman, Manfy Sharpe, Emily Toogood, Jess
Sandland, Phoebe Baker, Stephanie Beck, Connie Pengelly, Sarah Stacey, Mollie
Taylor, Zoe Watkins. Subs: Megan Robinson,
Mia Preston, Charley Prowse, Abbie Britton.
news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 17 - 13 January 2022