FA Women's Cup tie at St James' Park
St James’ Park will be hosting the Exeter City Ladies’ FA Women’s Cup first round proper tie against Brislington on Sunday 9th December (kick-off 1pm) – offering the Grecian girls the chance to progress to the second round for the first time in their history.
They reached the first round last season, only to be defeated away at Swindon. But they have been drawn at home to Somerset County Division One side Brislington – and rather than playing at their usual home in Topsham, the Exeter Ladies have the chance to showcase the women’s game at St James’ Park.
Exeter right-back Steve Tully, who also manages the Ladies team, is hopeful that the team will draw a good crowd for the cup-tie at the Park.
Steve said: “In the last round, we had an away trip in the third round qualifying to Forest of Dean, and we were lucky enough to use the first-team bus for that game, which was nice for the girls to have a bit of luxury.
“We played well there, and won the game. So we’re really looking forward to the first round proper, and having it at St James’ Park makes it even more special for the girls. They’re really looking forward to it.”
With the side being run on a shoestring budget, passage to the next round would earn the Ladies £250 in prize money and alleviate some of the short-term financial pressures.
“It’s well documented that the club is literally run on subs,” continued Tulls. “Alan Smith (ALS Motor Parts) has put in a big donation in, and his sponsorship is massive towards the way the club is run.
“Hopefully though now we can get through to the next round with the support of a big at the Park. That would be a big boost for us.”
All tickets for the fixture will be seating in the Flybe Stand, priced at just £3 for adults, £2 concessions and £1 for children.
The Ladies are first scheduled to face rivals Plymouth Argyle in the Ambassador Cup this weekend at 1.30pm on Sunday 2nd December, at the home of Topsham Town FC (Coronation Field, Exeter Road, Topsham EX2 7DT). You can also follow the Ladies team on Twitter on @EcfcLadies.