Exeter City Women moved up to third in the table with a dominant 4-1 victory over Billericay Town at Coach Road.
Four different players - Zoe Watkins, Sarah Stacey, Georgie Barbour-Gresham, and Phoebe Baker - all found the net for the Grecians, who built on a strong first-half display to claim three points. A late consolation from the visitors couldn’t dampen the City’s impressive afternoon.
Abbie Britton named an unchanged lineup from last week’s 5-1 FA Cup victory against Plymouth Argyle, with Zoe Watkins retaining her place, while the strike duo of Sarah Stacey and Sophie Gillies continued up top. Courtney Jones dropped out of the squad, as the Grecians could only name four players on the bench.
First half
The visitors started strongly, dominating the early exchanges and forcing several corners. From one in the fifth minute, they came close to taking the lead.
A well-worked move down the left earned Billericay a corner and, from the resulting delivery, a blue shirt managed to lose her marker. Her first-time shot cannoned off the crossbar before Jaydee Seaman cleared the danger.
The near-miss served as a wake-up call for the Grecians, who began to grow into the game and Sarah Stacey soon tested the Billericay keeper with a powerful effort.
Breaking down the left, Ishbel Zuurmond slid a clever pass to Stacey just outside the box. The number 10 controlled it expertly and unleashed a fierce strike, but Katie O’Hanlon produced a superb save, tipping the shot over the crossbar and out for a corner.
The Grecians built momentum from their early chance, winning a succession of corners that brought them closer to the breakthrough. Emily Toogood came closest with a back-post header that skimmed just wide, while moments later, she nearly found the net directly from an in-swinging corner, forcing the keeper to palm the ball over the crossbar.
City’s persistence from set-pieces eventually paid off, this time from a free-kick. Toogood delivered a pinpoint ball from the right, which Sophie Gillies flicked on. Watkins was perfectly positioned at the back post to head home, giving Exeter a well-deserved lead.
Remaining on top, City soon doubled their lead with a well-worked move in the 35th minute. Amber Pollock continued her form from last week and caused havoc down the left, beating her marker as she drove into the box. Once inside, she cut the ball back to Stacey, and City’s number 10 made no mistake from 10 yards out.
Pollock herself had a chance a few moments later, but her snapshot from a clearance looped just over the bar.
As the half drew to a close, the Grecians maintained their dominance, controlling possession and continuing to threaten down the flanks. They headed into the break with a well-earned two-goal advantage, leaving Billericay with it all to do in the second half.
Second half
City started the second half as they ended the first, firmly on top. Within 60 seconds of the restart, Stacey forced the keeper into a sharp save. Watkins whipped in a cross from the edge of the penalty area, and despite having her back to goal, Stacey managed to spin and get a quick shot off, which was tipped out for a corner by O’Hanlon.
Sophie Gillies came close on the hour mark after being played down the inside-right channel. Twisting and turning to shake off her marker, she created space for a shot, but her effort was blocked and deflected out for another corner.
O’Hanlon continued to frustrate the Grecians, producing a stunning save to deny Ishbel Zuurmond in the 73rd minute. However, the Billericay keeper could do little to prevent City’s third goal just a minute later. Emily Toogood delivered an in-swinging corner, and substitute Georgie Barbour-Gresham rose highest to head home for her second goal in as many weeks.
City’s dominance was capped off by a fourth goal just two minutes from full-time, courtesy of another substitute. Toogood’s precise cross caught the keeper out, and as O’Hanlon misjudged her punch, Phoebe Baker was on hand to nod in her third goal of the season.
However, the Grecians were unable to secure a clean sheet, as Billericay found a consolation goal in the first minute of stoppage time. Charlotte O’Shea unleashed a speculative effort from 30 yards, and the ball looped over Abbi Bond into the net.
City still secured all three points though and moved up to third in the table ahead of a mouth watering FA Cup Third Round tie against Worthing back at Coach Road next week. Back the team through to the fourth round and get your tickets now!
Exeter City Women: Bond, Taylor, Jackson (C), Seaman, Toogood, Pollock (Barbour-Gresham, 60'), Ireland (Cunningham, 65'), Zuurmond, Watkins (Baker, 65'), Stacey, Gillies.
Substitutes not used: Giles (GK).
Goals: Watkins 22', Stacey 35', Barbour-Gresham 74', Baker 88'
Billericay Town Women: O’Hanlon, Jackson, Smith, Priest (C), Horwood, Thomas, Biggs, Houghton, Grant, O’Shea, Smith.
Substitutes: D’Ath (GK), Evans, Munnelly, Kenley, Francis-Weir.
Goal: O'Shea 90+1'