Exeter City Women Reserves v Keynsham Town Reserves

By Maxine Coupe

Exeter hosted Keynsham at Cliff Hill Training Ground on Sunday in the FAWNL Reserve Cup and came
away triumphant.

Manager Dale Russell gave starting roles to youngsters Lemoni Gouldstone and Freya Horler after their impressive roles coming on as Subs the previous week. Abi Whistler replaced Lauren Bullock at Right full back and Matilda Franchi fulfilled the left back duties with such aplomb she was awarded the Player of the Match by Russell.

Exeter were dominant from the start and controlled the game throughout. The young Grecians first goal came from striker Connie Pengelly after a driving run from Franchi saw her brought down just outside the 18yard area. Pengelly struck it low and into far corner for the opener.

Chances were steadily created and efforts by Horler, Pengelly, Danni Skinner & Ellen Dixon all narrowly missed the target, but Exeter could not add to the score before half time.

The Second Half began and City soon got the second, a great through ball by Amy Salter found Horler who stayed composed to slot past the on rushing keeper for her first goal in Women’s Football. Exeter were playing controlled football with neat passing and patience, their third came after the impressive Franchi was brought down in the box for a penalty which Pengelly scored to take her tally to 4 goals in 2 games. 3-0 City.

Russell then made all 5 subs in the 54th minute, bringing on Abi Harrison, Chloe Harris, Kitty Rumens, Jess Cockayne & Paige Macdonald-Bale for Dixon, Whistler, Skinner, Gouldstone & Horler.

Harrison scored soon after coming on (57min) when she drove into box to shoot past the keeper for 4-0. Harrison’s best goal was to come when on 68mins a misplaced pass was picked up by Harrison who shot from 25yards out over keepers head for 5-0.
The ever lively Franchi then got herself on the scoresheet (88mins) for City’s 6th, when played through and hitting a thunderous shot into far corner. City’s last goal came from Captain Bronwyn Cousins (90+2) who scored with a header from a Franchi corner to make it seven.

The Final whistle blew straight after to give Exeter Reserves a convincing victory and advance through to the Preliminary Round where they have been given a bye.