Exeter City Women will finish the season without one of the stars of the campaign, as Emily Toogood has been diagnosed with a Weber C fracture of her distal fibula and has had her leg set in a cast to aid recovery.
The full back was injured after only forty seconds of Sunday’s game, heavily falling under a challenge, and will now miss the remainder of the season.
Toogood has had one of her most consistent seasons in City colours, leading the assists for the team with fourteen and also adding ten goals. Stunning free kicks against AFC Bournemouth and Portishead, alongside a dramatic injury time winner at Selsey may well go on to be key moments in the team's fight for promotion.
With home games against Selsey and Swindon must win, Toogood’s absence will certainly be felt, but the performance of Jess Sandland on Sunday underlines the strength of Abbie Britton and Aaron Waley’s squad.
Wakley was keen to point out how the team quickly rallied around their teammate. “We’re gutted for Em. Especially as injury meant she missed the end of season the last time the Club were in the hunt for promotion. The girls will keep her involved in the next few weeks, to make sure she feels part of what we are trying to achieve, and I know Em will be cheering the girls on from the touchline. Emily is a strong character, and we know she will be back stronger and fitter for next season.”
We wish Emily well in her recovery and look forward to seeing her at the Hub on Sunday and back in red and white in 2023/24.