Exeter City Women suffered a second successive defeat after three goals in a ten-minute second half spell eased AFC Wimbledon to all three points in South West London.
City started well, the returning Sarah Stacey played in on goal by Phoebe Baker and twice drawing saves from Dons Goalkeeper Rosie Kite. A low Emily Toogood corner was scooped over at the back post by Georgie Barbour-Gresham before Kite was again quickly off her line to deny Sophie Gillies.
Chances were flowing for city, Beth Ireland’s stunning drive from distance brilliantly tipped onto the crossbar by Kite, Gillies just unable to turn in the rebound. Gillies’ flicked a long ball from defence into the path of Stacey, this time the effort from close range lacked conviction as the chipped effort sailed wide.
The Dons began to counter the Grecians early dominance, a dipping effort from a short corner landing on the roof of Abbi Bond’s net. City were being stretched in wide areas with Barbour-Gresham and Toogood standing firm to cut out any danger with near post blocks, but the Grecians were made to pay for their early profligacy as the home side took the lead on the stroke of half time. A low cross was cut to the edge of the city penalty area and after defending against the initial danger the follow up shot from Emily Donovan deflected off a city body and into the net.
Baker hit wide after racing onto a ball over the top of the Dons defence, city starting the second half brightly before the Dons broke again. Ellie Dorey’s effort was deflected onto Bond’s crossbar and Jess Sandland’s excellent block denied a clear scoring opportunity on the follow up.
Gillies’ threat in behind led to a city corner and from it they found an equaliser. A defensive header looping up to the edge of the penalty area where Zoe Cunningham fired an exquisite volley into the top corner to level the contest.
The joy was short lived as only a minute later the Grecians suffered a double blow. The Don’s low cross hit a city arm, but there was certainly an argument that from the distance it was hit there was no intent or unnatural movement. Ashlee Hincks dispatched the penalty and for her persistent demonstrating, Jaydee Seaman was sin binned for dissent for a ten-minute spell.
Sensing the opportunity, the Dons took full advantage. Ellie Dorey struck a fierce effort from distance that flew into the top corner, city falling further behind five minutes later as Hincks swept home a low cross from a swift counter.
The game drifted as it neared a conclusion, Barbour-Gresham's header from a corner the closest city came to a goal, her effort dropping wide of the target.
A frustrating afternoon, with the Grecians failing to take their early chances and paying the price. It was the second successive weekend of conceding a cluster of goals in a short period of time. Abbie Britton’s side will look to be back to their best this weekend as Ipswich Town are the visitors to Devon in league cup action.
Exeter City Women: Bond, Toogood, Seaman, Sandland, Baker, Ireland, Stacey, Barbour-Gresham,Cunningham (C), Gillies, Pollock.
Substitutes: Giles (GK), Jones, Taylor, Cockayne, Gouldstone.