Exeter City Women continued their fine form with a comfortable victory over Keynsham Town on Sunday, City hitting five whilst securing a fifth consecutive league clean sheet.
The Grecians started brightly, kicking towards the swirling residues of storm kathleen, yet it was Town who had the game's first big chance. Breaking behind the City backline, a low cross looked certain to be converted by the onrushing forward, Goalkeeper Abbi Bond pouncing on the loose ball to keep the scores level.
It was a chance Keynsham would soon rue; Zoe Cunningham’s corner pinballed around the penalty area before a save from Charlotte Haynes deflected into the path of Sarah Stacey, the Grecians leading scorer converting from close range for the lead.
Georgie-Marie Barbour-Gresham had a headed effort cleared off the line before Stacey was in the right place to make the most of another rebound. Zoe Watkins' effort from the edge of the penalty area bounced awkwardly in front of Haynes and, with some assistance from the upright, Stacey doubled the lead.
An injury to Bow Jackson led to a reshuffle of the defensive pack and the Grecians became unsettled before the break, Town creating shooting opportunities but unable to trouble Bond as they pressed for a way back into the game. 0-2 at the break.
With the second half only seconds old, City soon found a third. Cunningham’s precise defence splitting pass allowed Jenna Markham to race clear, she rounded Haynes and tapped into the empty net.
City sealed the points minutes later, Sophie Gillies with some impressive one on one play and her drive to the line and cut back was perfectly weighted for Markham to get her second and the Grecians fourth.
Much like the first half, two early City goals led to Keynsham creating chances to get goals of their own. Bond making an outstanding one on one save to preserve the clean sheet as Town underlined their attacking qualities by exposing City on the break.
With the game won, there was time for one more Grecian Goal, Katie Grigg’s drilled cross evaded everyone in a green shirt and Connie Pengelly was in the right place to get her name on the scoresheet for the fourth consecutive game. A clinical performance in front of goal from City.
With Keynsham taking points off AFC Bournemouth in their last game, this fixture had potential to derail momentum, but in truth the three points were never in doubt once Stacey had struck her early double.
Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley’s side now head to Portishead Town on Wednesday evening, seven points from the final three games will ensure promotion, it’s very much in City’s hands as we head to the season’s conclusion.