Exeter City Women head to Milton Keynes Dons on Sunday, looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Watford.
It has certainly been a transitional summer for the Buckinghamshire side, Manager Charlie Bill departed in May and a significant overhaul of the playing squad followed. Twenty-eight players from last season’s squad are no longer with the team, with the new look Dons having moved quickly to recruit ahead of this campaign.
Anna Draper arrives from Northern Premier side Derby County, Draper was a regular starter for the Rams last year and will provide strong competition for the number one spot. After previous spells with Enfield Town and USA College side Goldey-Beacom Lightning, midfielder Cayleigh Jackson will bring leadership to a young Dons squad.
T’yanna Chambers moves to Stadium MK after spending last season with the London Bees, whilst Caitlin Stewart and Tara Appleton both arrive from Burton Albion. Lily Dalton will be familiar with the Grecians from her spell at Maidenhead United, defender Dalton arrives after spending last season with Brentford. Favour Omenazu completes the Dons early summer recruitment, Omenazu playing a role in Stourbridge’s successful survival battle in the Northern Premier last season.
Whilst there was a host of departures over the summer, the Dons have a highly talented development system and the hope will be that star performers at reserve level Annaliza Jacovides, Madeline Welham, Olivia Welham, Tate Bullen and Leoni Miceli can all make the step up to tier three football this campaign.
It has been a difficult first half of the season for the Buckinghamshire side. From 15 league and cup fixtures there have been 14 defeats, a 3-3 draw at home to Billericay the one comfort in a tough run. Successive league and cup visits to Ipswich Town has not helped confidence, 25 goals coming for the hosts in the two games. The Dons currently sit bottom of the league with one point from their eleven games.
This fixture signals the halfway point in the Grecians season and they will be keen to add three more points to an already impressive total. City were 7-0 victors in an opening win against MK, Sophie Gillies hitting a hat trick in a complete team performance. With many of the top sides in the division playing against each other this weekend, a win could see City further climb the table ahead of next weekend’s FA Cup tie at Plymouth Argyle.
Match Info
- Willen Road Sports Ground, Newport Pagnell
- Sunday 10 November, 2pm
- FAWNL Southern Premier