Exeter City Women continued their impressive start to the new season with a clinical performance at Lewes, a second successive victory that sees the Grecians continue to top the division.
Another brace from Sarah Stacey, a fourth goal in two games for Sophie Gillies, and a second consecutive goal for skipper Bow Jackson made it an afternoon to remember in East Sussex for the Grecians, who have now scored 11 unanswered goals in the their first two league matches.
Amber Pollock surged into the penalty area to force an early city corner; Zoe Cunningham’s far post delivery was helped back towards goal by Georgie Barbour-Gresham, Sarah Stacey in the right place to nod over the line and give city the lead after only five minutes.
Che Thomas broke through the Grecians back line with ten minutes on the clock, her chipped effort brilliantly blocked by the on-rushing city goalkeeper Abbi Bond. Beth Ireland intercepted a loose defensive pass from the home side, driving towards the penalty area and hitting a low shot that rebounded off the foot of the post as Abbie Britton’s side continued to push forward.
Patient buildup on the Grecians right saw Bow Jackson clip a pass into Gillies, she deftly controlled the ball into her path before being pushed to the ground for a city penalty. Stacey, despite some antics from Lewes’ goalkeeper Emily Moore, dispatched the spot kick with her usual aplomb.
Gillies glanced a deep Emily Toogood cross towards goal, the headed effort falling into the grateful hands of Moore as city took control of the contest. Pollock, who had been tenacious in both attack and defence, went on another decisive run at the fragile Rooks defence and her deflected effort across the face of the goal was converted by Gillies for a third goal with only thirty minutes played.
Cunningham’s free kick just evaded a city boot, whilst the ever-dangerous Gillies flashed another effort narrowly wide. Pollock had another surging run at the home defence, her shot blocked once more as city headed into the break in a strong position.
The second half began as the first half ended, Pollock driving at the Lewes defence only for Moore to palm the goal bound effort away to safety. Stacey again tested the increasingly busy Moore, chest and volleying a Barbour-Gresham pass towards goal in what would have been a sensational strike.
As the half progressed, Lewes began to apply some sustained pressure to the city defence, Ireland and Pollock clearing a series of threatening crosses. Ireland slalomed her way through the Lewes midfield to release Gillies as city continued to provide a threat on the break, the strikers low cross blocked by the retreating Hannah Godfrey.
Gillies’ defence splitting pass released Zuurmond as the Grecians broke once more, her shot palmed into the path of Jackson who tapped in her second of the season after a lung busting run from defence.
With the points secured, the rest of the contest came down to keeping a successive clean sheet, the home side hitting the outside of the post from a Layla Proctor effort as they pressed for a goal. The best opportunity for a consolation came with three minutes remaining, Muna Eze striking on the volley and drawing a sensational save from Bond who tipped the ball onto the crossbar before Toogood cleared the danger.
An impressive performance from the Grecians as they adapt to life in tier three, two defensive shut outs and a front two of Gillies and Stacey hitting the ground running with eight goals between them already.
A League Cup contest mid-week sees the visit of Portishead Town to Coach Road, before the Grecians face their biggest test to date with the arrival of title favorites Ipswich Town to St James Park on Sunday.
Tickets for both matches are now on sale here.