Exeter City Women maintained their position at the top of the National League division with a comfortable victory over Maidenhead United in front of 2,660 at St James Park.
Both teams began with attacking intentions, Abbi Bond, captaining the side on her one hundredth appearance, had to be quick to make the clearance as United looked for a chance on goal before Sophie Gillies and Mollie Taylor both failed to connect with a dangerous Jess Sandland corner.
The Grecians opened the scoring with a route one set up, Sandland’s ball from defence was flicked on by Jenna Markham and Sarah Stacey raced clear to slot past the on rushing Rosie Wilmott-Joyce for the lead.
To their credit, United had not come to be spectators, looking to play from deep areas and committing players in attack to stem the tide of City attacks. However, with Gillies starting to affect the flow of the game with her movement in midfield and Amber Pollock getting the better of her opponent in wide areas, the second goal looked a certain and it arrived on eighteen minutes. Pollock was persistent in forcing her way towards goal and her low cross was perfectly weighted for Markham to tap in.
Pollock was the instigator once more moments later, her cross was blocked to the edge of the penalty area and Phoebe Baker fired into the top corner with a trademark rocket finish.
Taylor should have added a fourth with a back post header following Bow Jackson’s precise cross before Gillies and Wilmott-Joyce become locked in a battle of their own. A tame effort was comfortably gathered by the Magpies Goalkeeper before the Grecians forward thundered an effort off the underside of the crossbar. Wilmott-Joyce made another fine close range save from a City set piece before claiming another Gillies header before the break.
The second half began with a lack of intensity, Gillies and Taylor both striking wide as the momentum of the first half was lacking in City’s play. Abbie Britton and Aaron Wakley made a triple substitution on the hour mark, and it was one of those changes that made an instant impact. Connie Pengelly, a lifelong City fan, firing into the top corner of the net after winning a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
The goal lifted City, Zoe Cunningham firing in a low effort that was claimed by Wilmott-Joyce before Pengelly finished the afternoon off with her second and the team’s fifth. Taylor, who had been impressive throughout, surged past the United defence and her low cross was a gift for Pengelly to tap in and round off the afternoon.
The Grecians not only have to win games but win them well and Sunday’s game affirmed both of those targets. With a large crowd gathering for post-match autographs this was an afternoon to enjoy for the team, a five-star performance and goals to entertain the large St James Park crowd. Visits to Portishead Town and Selsey await in a busy week of league action, with AFC Bournemouth winning again, the fight for the title is hotting up.