Page 24 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.20 2020-21

Thanks to two well taken goals from Esme Kilburn-Thompson, Exeter City ran out deserved
winners of this absorbing contest played in front of a healthy crowd of 553 who had clearly come
out to enjoy the occasion in the sunshine at Coach Road.
Plymouth kicked off playing towards the Clock End and were quickly onto the attack with
Wednesday Wise and Sophie Buchanan unable break through the Exeter defence which was
already showing its strength in the tackle. For Exeter Molly Taylor seemed to be finding acres of
space down the right side however, the first meaningful attack came in the 12th minute when
Exeter’s Anthea Kaptein got on the end of a deep cross from Manfy Sharpe on the left, beat the
Plymouth defence with a neat flick and fired in a shot from 15 yards that Poppy Soper, in the
Plymouth goal, did well to parry. Two minutes later it was Kaptein again, this time pouncing on a
loose clearance on the Plymouth right but shooting into the side netting.
Exeter were well on top now and it seemed only a matter of time before their passing game
would prevail. So it proved as, in the 22nd minute, they went ahead. An inswinging corner from the
left was headed clear by Papaioannou at the far post straight on to the right foot of Kilburn-
Thompson who made no mistake from eight yards out.
In the 27th minute Exeter increased their lead. A raking cross-field pass from the left finding
Zoe Watkins, who cut in from the right and drove a low cross to the far post where Kilburn-
Thompson was waiting to gleefully fire into the roof of the net giving Soper no chance. Two minutes
later it should have been three nil when Zoe Watkins chipped in an inviting cross which was
completely missed at the far post.
The Argyle ladies were being hemmed in by Exeter’s pressing game and had hope that an
early substitution, with the experienced Kate Middleton replacing Lydia Huntley, who was clearly
struggling at the back, would help them turn the tide. They began to put some passes together but
were finding it difficult to penetrate in the final third, the Exeter defence continuing to hold firm.
Having repelled Argyle’s attempts to fight back Exeter went in search of a third goal that
should kill the game off. In the 38th minute another excellent cross from the left found Connie
Pengelly whose first time cross found Kaptein who had just strayed offside. A minute later a cross
from Taylor, found the head of Kaptein who placed her effort just wide. Then, in the 44th minute,
Taylor, still finding plenty of space down the Argyle left flank, picked up a poor clearance but placed
her shot just wide of the far post from the edge of the box. Half time came with Exeter leading by
two goals to nil but, in reality they should have sewn the game up.
As the second half got under way, would Exeter regret missing all those chances. It seems not
as their defence were easily a match for the Plymouth forwards who, despite seeing a lot of the ball,
could not turn pressure into goal opportunities. The game was largely being played out in midfield
and it wasn’t until the last few minutes that they were able to really trouble the Exeter defence
when, in the 89th minute they forced their first corner of the match, which came to naught.
The fourth official indicated six minutes of added time to be played and in the third of those,
Beth Ireland raced into the box to score what proved to be a consolation for Plymouth but still made
for a nervy last few minutes for the Exeter team who on balance, ran out deserved winners of this
County Women’s Cup Final.
(Source: www.devonfa.com)

Are you looking at setting up women’s Walking Football sessions in Cheshire? You can apply for a
grant to be spent on start-up costs such as; Kit / Equipment, Coach Qualifications, Venue Hire,
Insurance, Marketing.
Criteria:
● Deliver a session once a week for a minimum of 12 weeks With a view to become sustainable
● Have a minimum of one member of staff with valid FA First Aid qualification and Level one
● Must have Public Liability Insurance.
● Provide a list to the County FA of participants taking part in the sessions at the end of 12 weeks
– (This will not be shared with any third party)
CLOSING DATE: 25 JUNE 2021
Please note that funding is limited and will be awarded on strength of application and need in
the area. To apply now of for more information, email femalefootball@cheshirefa.com.
Issue no. 20 - 3 June 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk