Exeter City Women will be looking to build on Wednesday’s Devon Derby victory with more league points when they travel to face Cheltenham Town at Kayte Lane, Bishops Cleeve on Sunday afternoon.
Robins Manager Tom Davies’ has added a strong core of players to a squad that finished in 7th place last season. Lacy-Jai Liggett returns from a spell at Oxford United, the forward leading the way in Town’s promotion season in 2021 with 17 goals. Abbey Hateley and Doris Greenwood arrive from Loughborough Lightning, with Libby Bell and Lilly-Wellesley-Davies signing from Bristol Rovers and Southampton Women's FC respectively.
Mia Smith takes over the number one spot after the departure of long serving goalkeeper Aimee Watson and there will be a familiar face to Grecians fans with Connie Pengelly signing for the Robins following her departure from City this July.
Davies’ side began the season strongly, easily disposing of Plymouth Argyle and MK Dons, but results and points have been harder to come by since. Defeat in the League Cup at Worcester City was followed by league losses against AFC Wimbledon and Billericay Town. An impressive draw against Hashtag United halted the run of defeats, but recent reverses to Watford and Oxford United leaves Town without a win in their last six league fixtures.
Town possess a talented front line, with Una Lue beginning to make her mark at tier three level, the young forward already scoring five times this season. Greenwood and Henna Butcher will support the threat that Lue offers in forward areas.
The two sides met in last season’s FA Cup with Sarah Stacey’s goal looking to have put the Grecians into the next round before a manic last few minutes. Emily Allen’s late goal brought the hosts level before two further injury time goals from Phoebe Poole and Emily Owen dumped City out of the cup.
After a good start to the season, Wednesday’s win at Home Park cemented City’s position among the early pacesetters in the division. Victory against a familiar foe on Sunday will further highlight the Grecians as a team that will be looking more towards the top end of the table this season than the bottom.
Tickets
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