AFC Plympton Ladies 1 Exeter City Ladies 3
Exeter City Ladies negotiated to the final of the Devon FA Cup for the fourth straight season with a 3-1 victory away at AFC Plympton.
The Grecians are reigning champions, after having beaten Plymouth Argyle 4-3 after extra-time in last year’s final. The Pilgrims will be aiming to set up a rematch for Thursday 17th April as they travel to Marine Academy in the tournament’s other semi-final this Sunday.
Exeter began with a 3-5-2 system in Plympton and decent half-chances from Tash Knapman and Helen Kukor were both dealt with by the home ‘keeper.
However it was Lola Garcia Sanchez that posed the main threat, and she eventually broke the deadlock when Vicky Barter slid in a ball into her path.
The second followed some resolute defensive and pressing work from Plympton – it was Barter that took control of the situation by taking a composed first-touch on a half-clearance and striking a firm finish with her left foot.
City switched to a more-familiar 4-3-3 after the interval and created a number of chances to kill the game off as a contest in the early stages, all of which went begging. So nerves began to set in when Plympton halved the deficit with a quick counter.
But it only served to concentrate Grecian minds and the two-goal cushion was soon re-established – it was a delightfully-weighted ball from Vicky Wright that allowed Kukor the chance to slot under the advancing goalkeeper.
While it wasn’t the most complete performance that Exeter City Ladies have ever put in, it was the win that was required and will see Exeter defending their crown in the final in April.
Exeter City Ladies: Bradford, Staddon (V.Wright 45), Copp, C.Wright, Hine, Ghiglia, Brooks, Barter, Garcia Sanchez, Kukor, Knapman.