Exeter City Women face their most important game of this season this weekend, a trip to league leaders Cheltenham Town is a fixture they must win to keep their Title hopes alive.
Cheltenham have had a fantastic season, losing just one league game all season, Tom Davies’ side have not been beaten since the opening day reverse against Southampton Women’s FC back in August.
In recent weeks, Town have gained a vital victory over title rivals AFC Bournemouth, before a win on the road at Portishead. Cheltenham were agonisingly close to gaining revenge over Southampton this past weekend, an injury time goal from Lucy Mear keeping the title aspirations of several clubs alive.
The two teams have already met twice this season, the Gloucestershire side winning both by two goals to one. A closely fought game in Devon was settled by a Sam Hallsworth goal, before a brilliant individual performance from Lucy-Jai Liggett saw Town advance in the League Cup Plate quarter final.
Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s side know they must win all five of their remaining games and then rely on Chesham United to take points off of Cheltenham in their final fixture. Anything other than a victory on Sunday would see the end of the Grecians title aspirations. However, the pressure will be on both teams. AFC Bournemouth could still finish on forty-three points and have a far superior goal difference, meaning that Town need to win their games against both City and Chesham to secure the title.
County Cup Final, FA Cup Fourth Round, City wanted to be a part of big fixtures this season and this one will add to that growing list. With a title on the line and both teams needing a win, the stakes could not be higher. Against a Cheltenham Town side who have had the better of these fixtures in the past two years, now would be the perfect time to emphasise just how far this group of players have advanced in the last twelve months.