Exeter City Women face Barclays Championship side Sunderland on Sunday afternoon, with a victory for Abbie Britton’s City progressing the team to the FA Cup fifth round for the first time in the team’s history.
The Grecians enjoyed a strong run of form before the Christmas break, league victories over Billericay and Lewes accompanying FA Cup wins against Plymouth Argyle and Worthing. The visitors may go into the tie as strong favourites, but on the back of a history making 2024, this City squad will be looking to kick off 2025 with another magical moment.
Tickets
If you haven't already, get your tickets now and back City Women to make history! It's worth booking early, as this will save you money and time at the gate!
Advance ticket prices are as follows:
- Adults: £5 (£6 on the day)
- Under-18: £3 (£4 on the day)
Buy Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online via your ticketing account here, or in person at St James Park or by calling 01392 411 243.
Coach Road
Promotion to the third tier of women's football meant that City had to search for a new home alongside St James Park for the 2024/25 season, resulting in Newton Abbot's Coach Road as the team's second home venue.
Because of the larger crowd expected on Sunday, we'd like to encourage all supporters to leave plenty of time to reach Coach Road in time for kick-off at 1pm.
Devon FA HQ, Coach Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 1EJ
Coach Road is an all-weather pitch and can accommodate up to 1,000 supporters, of which 280 can be accommodated in the covered seated stand on one side of the pitch. Additional facilities include a fully licensed bar, hot and cold food and beverages, and parking.
The ground can be accessed via car on matchdays with a pay and display 70 space car park available, and extra parking around the area. Newton Abbot train station is also within close walking distance of the ground (0.8 miles) for those who prefer to travel via public transport.
If you can, please use public transport to reach the ground. It's only a short walk from Newton Abbot train station and you can find your route on local Stagecoach buses by clicking here!
For more general information on Coach Road click here!
The Opposition
The Lasses have enjoyed a steady campaign so far, winning five of their ten fixtures in the Barclays Championship. After early season defeats to Birmingham City and Southampton, a run of good form in November completed four successive league wins with a 2-2 draw against Portsmouth before the Christmas break cementing Reay’s side’s position in the middle of the table.
League Cup losses to Blackburn Rovers and Durham came either side of the Tyne and Wear club’s FA Cup third round fixture, goals from Eleanor Dale, Amy Goddard, Libbi McInnes and Mary McAteer easing the Lasses past tier four side Huddersfield Town. Dale has been the most consistent goal scorer for Sunderland this season, with six Championship goals to add to her efforts in cup competitions, the forward’s signing from Everton in January of 2024 proving a successful acquisition.
Reay’s squad is filled with players with international recognition, Jess Stapleton, Brianna Westrup, Katie Kitching, Ellen Jones and Mary McAteer representing Republic of Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and Wales respectively. A strong pathway in the Northeast has also seen many of the squad represent England at youth level.
Abbie Britton's Thoughts
💬 "We thrive off being an underdog, with our backs against the wall - big games don't frighten us." Abbie Britton previews Sunday's FA Cup tie ⬇️
How to follow
Nothing beats live football, but if you can't make it to Coach Road on Sunday there will be live coverage on our Twitter/X and Facebook pages, as well as full commentary on Radio Devon from our own Jed Penberthy and Latoyah Egerton! We will also have reaction from Abbie Britton and a player after the match.