Sarah Stacey celebrated her 100th City appearance with a first-half goal that was complemented by strikes from Sophie Gillies and Zoe Watkins, to secure a hard-fought 3-0 win at Cheltenham Town.
Netted either side of half-time, both City's goals were poachers finishes inside the six yard box.
Just before the referee blew for the break, Gillies found space inside the box and cut it back for Stacey to tap into an open net, before Gillies was then found herself by a long ball over the top and tucked home a rebound after the goalkeeper saved her inital effort.
With the home side piling on the press, Zoe Cunningham won a corner with a speculative effort from 40 yards with just three minutes remaining, and that cross was met by Zoe Watkins to seal three points.
Abbie Britton made one change to her starting lineup from Wednesday night’s Devon Derby win over Plymouth Argyle, bringing Georgie Barbour-Gresham in for Jess Sandland at the back. Sarah Stacey started up front, making her 100th Grecian appearance while Ishbel Zuurmond retained her spot in the eleven despite having been forced off with an injury midweek.
First half
The Grecians started strongly on a crisp afternoon in Gloucestershire, and even had the ball in the back of the net after just seven minutes. The newest member of City’s centurion club Sarah Stacey drove forward and set up Zuurmond inside the box. Her shot was parried by the goalkeeper, landing perfectly in the path of Sophie Gillies who converted from less than a yard out, but she was judged to be offside by the referee’s assistant.
City were thwarted by more debateable offside calls, but nearly broke through just past the quarter hour mark. Amber Pollock sprinted down the left into the penalty area and cut the ball across the face of goal. Unfortunately there was nobody in blue close enough to tap it into an open net.
Gillies was a constant problem for the Robins defence, and earned a free-kick just outside of the D after being crowded by several opposition players. City’s number 21 took the free-kick, and struck it under a jumping wall but straight into the keeper’s hands.
Cheltenham sat back in a low block, often with eight players behind the ball. Searching for a way through, Pheobe Baker found space and launched a shot from 30 yards that forced a diving save from the keeper. The resulting corner was directed wide at close range, giving the Robins a goal kick.
That chance appeared to spark some life into the hosts, and they began to make inroads into City’s half, eventually winning a free-kick 35 yards out wide on their left after Bow Jackson tripped a winger. The set piece was swung goalwards but straight into the arms of a grateful Abbi Bond.
Just two minutes later, the Robins came even closer when a misjudged interception allowed Henna Butcher to charge forwards unchallenged. However, she put too much power in the shot and it was never troubling Bond in goal.
Meanwhile, Cheltenham’s keeper was kept on her toes as Zuurmond broke through the inside-right channel, firing a shot from the edge of the box that forced a palm over the bar.
Manager Abbie Britton showed frustration with her side’s openness at the back, and an injury to Jaydee Seaman gave her the chance to make tactical changes. In the 32nd minute, she brought on Emily Toogood, who marked her 150th appearance for the Grecians.
As the half wore on, Cheltenham looked to be gaining the upper hand, particularly with their wing play. Their closest chance came when Abbey Hateley sent a ball across the box to Lacy-Jai Liggett, whose shot narrowly missed the target.
However, the Robins were left to regret that missed opportunity when City took the lead against the run of play just before the break.
Following a corner that was initially cleared, Beth Ireland regained possession. After a well-worked passage through midfield, the ball found its way to Gillies in the box. With Cheltenham defenders appealing for offside but Gillies clearly played on by an injured defender, she cut it back to Stacey, who tapped in to give City a 1-0 lead heading into half-time.
Second half
Cheltenham nearly levelled within 60 seconds of the restart. A corner from the right found its way into a dangerous area and was nudged past Bond in goal. Fortunately for the Grecians, there on the line was Baker to keep the lead intact, before the game was briefly halted as Bond picked up a knock.
City’s keeper was okay to continue but in the dugout, Britton still decided to make an early change but in the centre of midfield, bringing on the duo of Zoe Cunningham and Zoe Watkins in place of Baker and Ireland.
However, the midfield was bypassed as the Grecians went route one to double their lead in the 58th minute.
Receiving the ball from a throw on the half-way line, Jackson launched a long pass over the top, which was misjudged by a defender and allowed Gillies space and time in the box. Her first shot was saved but there was no denying the forward twice as she slotted the rebound home.
Cheltenham would be right to feel slightly hard done by at this point and made several attacking substitutions as they looked to lean into City. That being said, the difference between Exeter and the home side could be seen in their conversion of dominance into chances, as the Robins had a lot of territory but Bond had few out and out chances to save.
City’s keeper was called into action with 12 minutes remaining, leaping to catch a headed attempt directed goalward from a Cheltenham corner.
Soon after, former Grecian Connie Pengelly, on as a substitute for the Robins, slipped through a gap in City’s backline and nearly got a shot off before Barbour-Gresham intervened, with the follow-up ruled offside.
Cheltenham continued pressing as Exeter focused on slowing the game and managing play to their advantage. In the 84th minute, a free-kick from 40 yards gave Exeter a glimpse of a third goal when Cunningham spotted the keeper off her line. She backtracked just in time to tip the effort over the bar.
City capitalised on the ensuing corner, sealing the victory with a third goal. Substitute Jess Sandland sent a cross into the box, where Zoe Watkins flicked it home, securing all three points for the Grecians.
Exeter City Women now have a break in fixtures, with their next match at home against Hastag United on October 27. Get your tickets for the Coach Road clash here.
Cheltenham Town Women: Smith, Hateley (Bell, 68'), Collis (Trinci, 68'), Liggett, Attenborough (Pemberton, 62'), Butcher, Llewellyn, Wellesley-Davies, Owen (C), Greenwood, Lue (Pengelly, 76').
Substitutes not used: Pugh-Jones (GK), Finch, Leach.
Exeter City Women: Bond, Jackson (C), Seaman (Toogood, 32'), Baker (Watkins, 56'), Ireland (Cunningham, 56'), Stacey, Barbour-Gresham, Zuurmond (Jones, 79'), Taylor, Gillies (Sandland, 86'), Pollock.
Substitutes not used: Giles (GK), Grove.
Goals: Stacey 45', Gillies 58', Watkins 87'.