The Grecians exited the Women's FA Cup in the fourth round after falling to defeat against Sunderland at Coach Road.
City couldn't handle an onslaught from their second division opponents, and despite pulling one goal back through a Sarah Stacey penalty at 3-0, they'd go on to lose 7-1, their heaviest defeat since 2017.
For their first match of 2025, Abbie Britton made two changes from the side that beat Lewes 1-0 in the league before Christmas. New signing Maya Kendell started at wing-back, while Beth Ireland returned from a knock to start. Maya's fellow Bristol City loanee Fearne Slocombe was named on the bench, alongside Jess Sandland who returned from an injury she picked up in the first round of the cup.
First half
In front of the highest crowd this season at Coach Road, City Women started bright with an early corner, but it was the tier two side who opened the scoring in the first three minutes. A low ball down the left reached Eleanor Dale who sent a pass goalwards, and it was poked past Abbi Bond by Ellen Jones.
City threatened Sunderland through a long-range Amber Pollock shot, but the visitors struck again on 12 minutes to double their lead. Breaking down the left this time, Dale was given too much space in the box and proceeded to rifle a shot into the roof of the net for 2-0.
Pollock appeared to be the bright spare for Exeter, as she produced another shot on goal after Sunderland's second, but it was a routine stop for the keeper.
However, Sunderland showed their prowess again with several half chances, before adding a third to their tally just after the half hour mark. City were caught in possession at the back by a high press, and Dale was played in again. She knocked the ball around Bond and then tapped home for three.
Buoyed by the home crowd, City's heads never dropped and they kept attacking the Sunderland goal, which reaped it's reward in the 36th minute when Sophie Gillies won a penalty. Played in over the top by Emily Toogood, Gillies cut inside toward goal and was bundled over, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Sarah Stacey stepped up and made no mistake, converting in off the post to pull a goal back.
It was always going to be an uphill task though against a difficult Sunderland side, and within 60 seconds of the restart the visitors reasserted their three goal lead. Bond's goal-kick was headed back into City's half and a tackle was then missed by a Grecians defender, allowing Jones to run through on goal unopposed before she knocked it home.
Second half
Just like the first half, Sunderland scored just three minutes into the second 45. Black Cats captain Natasha Fenton cut a low ball into the box which was knocked along by Dale before reaching Jones, who completed her hattrick.
The game calmed down on the goalscoring front after that, with City doing well to deal with large spells of Sunderland pressure, putting their bodies on the line to prevent any further goals. Fearne Slocombe was brought on for her Grecians debut in the centre of midfield while Jess Sandland also returned from injury, slotting in at wing-back for the impressive Kendell.
With the match waring on though, the difference in fitness between City and their professional opponents showed, and Sunderland got a sixth in the 77th minute. A nicely worked move on the edge of the box resulted in a dink to the back post, where Dale headed in for her own hat-trick.
Sunderland had time for one more but not before Pollock tested the keeper again with another fierce long-range effort, as City continued to try and probe their Championship opponents, prying on any slip up.
The visitors' seventh came after Bow Jackson had to be carried off with an injury that appeared to be worrying, as Dale smashed home her fourth goal of the game.
A teaching moment in a season of learning curves for Abbie Britton's Grecians in this group's first ever match against tier two opponents. Despite the scoreline, there were plenty of positives for the Grecians, but ultimately their run in this season's Adobe Women's FA Cup has come to an end.
It's back to the bread and butter of the league next week, as City host Gwalia at Willand Rovers' Silver Street. Get your tickets here now!
Exeter City Women: Bond, Kendell (Barbour-Gresham, 80'), Seaman, Jackson (C) (Sandland, 80'), Toogood (Slocombe, 54'), Pollock, Baker (Taylor, 54'), Ireland (Watkins, 75'), Zuurmond, Stacey, Gillies.
Substitutes not used: Giles (GK), Cockayne.
Goal: Stacey 38' (pen)
Attendance: 588