Exeter City Women extended their winning run with a comprehensive victory at Portishead Town on Wednesday evening, it was a victory that saw the Grecians record a fourth consecutive win in all competitions.
Travelling up the M5, a downpour during pre-match preparations and a long journey on Sunday, City could have been forgiven a slow start. However, that was far from the case as Emily Toogood delivered a cross into the Town penalty area, Jenna Markham flicked the ball into the path of Sarah Stacey and she finished into the bottom corner with less than thirty seconds on the clock.
The Grecians had been impressive on their last visit to Bristol Road and they were setting a high tempo in the early stages of this contest, Phoebe Baker at the heart of most of the visitors' progressive moments. The reliability of the Grecians’ set piece deliveries has been a consistent in games this season, Jess Sandland’s latest corner into a dangerous area resulting in a series of City headers scrambled away from the goal line, as the visitors pressed to double their lead.
The force of Sarah Stacey and the flair of Connie Pengelly proved the most potent strike force in the division last season, yet the pace of Jenna Markham has undoubtedly added an extra threat to an impressive City attack. Sandland again provided the pass and Markham eased away from her marker before slotting the ball narrowly wide of the far post.
City continued to probe away at a resilient Portishead backline, but it would take some Pengelly magic to finally extend the lead. Sandland, whose vision for a pass is excelling on a weekly basis, found the City Number Nine in the penalty area, she feigned a shot, cut inside the defender and finished into the bottom corner. A two-goal lead at half time.
Portishead entered the game in strong form and came out after the break with more attacking intent, drilling a ball across the City penalty area before starting to gain some control of midfield. However, City would withstand the increased tempo from the home side and begin to hit back through the threat of Markham. She twice surged into the Town penalty area, drilling wide of the goal with her shot on both occasions.
Chloe Gilroy had a goal bound effort blocked, Markham also, as the tenacious Town backline worked tirelessly to keep City from furthering the lead. In the end, the dominance in possession from the Grecians would bring its just reward, Gilroy breaking into the penalty area and sending in a low cross that was initially smashed onto the underside of the crossbar before Stacey hit home the rebound.
A comprehensive performance from the Grecians, with the backline of Mollie Taylor, Jaydee Seaman, Manfy Sharpe and Emily Toogood imperious in front of Abbi Bond, who, in truth, had a comfortable evening. Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s side have registered five more points than at the same point last season and, with a three and half week break from league fixtures, will be delighted with the first third of the campaign. City can now focus on the Cup competitions content that when the league fixtures resume in early November the Grecians will be in the hunt for top spot going into 2023.