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Exeter City Women cruise to victory at MK Dons

Goal celebrations for  Sophie Gillies of Exeter City Women  during the during the FA Women’s National League Match between Exeter City Women and Ipswich Town Women at St James Park, Exeter on 1st Sep 2024. Photo: Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK
-Credit: (Image: Izzy Ninnis/PPAUK)


Six goals from six different scorers made it a productive afternoon for City women, as they beat Milton Keynes 6-1.

The Grecians made a fast start, with Amber Pollock netting after just five minutes. Skipper Bow Jackson doubled the lead 8 minutes later, before Ishbel Zuurmond then netted her first of the season. Sophie Gillies got her goal five minutes before half-time but the hosts then pulled one back before the break.

Emily Toogood forced an own goal at the near post just minutes after the restart before a period of 30 minutes disrupted by substitutes and a deep MK line, thwarting Grecian attacks. However, Sarah Stacey capped off the win with a goal of her own in the 82nd minute, as City bounced back in the best possible fashion.

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Following last week's defeat at Watford, Abbie Britton made three changes to her starting eleven. Liv Giles started in goal for just the second time in the league this season, while Courtney Jones and Pheobe Baker also returned to the lineup.

City made the perfect start in Newport Pagnall, scoring with their first shot on target just five minutes in. Emily Toogood launched a long ball down the left into space for Amber Pollock, who took a touch before driving her shot through the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Those balls over the top were looking productive for City on a boggy pitch, and Sarah Stacey soon had two promising chances. First, she latched onto a looping pass but saw her effort saved by the keeper’s legs. Minutes later, she struck a Baker delivery first time, but the MK goalkeeper stood firm again.

Between those chances the home side did have their first shot of the game after being gifted space due to a slip in City’s midfield, but the effort was well wide.

The attacks kept coming for City though, and after 13 minutes they had their second. Sophie Gillies broke the MK offside trap, latching onto a well-timed through ball, and unselfishly squared the ball to Bow Jackson, who smashed home to double the lead.

It could’ve been three just before the 20 minute mark had it not been for a superb reaction save from the MK keeper. Stacey flicked on a free-kick to Gillies, and from close-range her first time effort was pushed out for a corner.

A melee followed the resulting corner with Jones and Toogood both having shots on target, but multiple red shirts blocked their route to the goal.

City continued to dominate, creating several half-chances before finally finding their third goal on the half-hour mark. Another perfectly placed long ball from Emily Toogood was met by Ingle Zuurmond, who calmly finished across the keeper from the left for her first goal of the season.

Moments later, Amber Pollock nearly doubled her tally with a stunning curling effort. After a slick passing move, Zoe Cunningham knocked the ball to Pollock, who had swapped to the right wing. Her first-time shot beat the keeper but rattled the crossbar.

The Grecians showed a knack for scoring in ten-minute intervals and added their fourth on 40 minutes. Sophie Gillies, determined to make her mark, latched onto a long pass and coolly lobbed the onrushing keeper in a composed finish.

Despite City’s dominance, MK Dons pulled a goal back just before the break. A long ball from the hosts wasn’t dealt with as the bounce deceived the defense, allowing an MK player to nip in and poke the ball past Liv Giles.

Sarah Stacey nearly restored the three-goal cushion immediately, but her shot went wide as the half ended with City firmly in control at 4-1.

City emerged from the interval with determination, immediately going on the offensive and earning an early corner after Gillies forced another save from the MK keeper. Emily Toogood delivered the set piece and, at the near post, an unfortunate deflection off an MK player sent the ball into the back of the net for Exeter ’s fifth.

Gillies had a golden opportunity to add a sixth just four minutes later. Breaking the offside trap with ease, she found herself in on goal, but her shot uncharacteristically sailed high and wide.

Toogood went even closer from another corner ten minutes later, where this time she met it inside the box. Jones flicked the ball on to her fellow defender who hooked the ball goalwards over her head, but the keeper pushed it over for a corner.

The game’s rhythm was disrupted by a series of substitutions, including a forced change for Exeter as Baker left the field with a head injury, replaced by Beth Ireland. While the Grecians maintained the majority of possession, clear-cut chances became rare.

Amber Pollock managed to carve out an opportunity, cutting inside from the left and unleashing a right-footed shot. However, the MK keeper once again denied City, making a smart save low to her right.

City’s attacking flow began to return to them towards the end of the match, and Stacey finally got her goal eight minutes from time. Jaydee Seaman drove forward into the MK half and found substitute Zoe Watkins, who threaded a delightful ball into Stacey’s path and she made no mistake, finishing low into the bottom corner.

A couple more half chances followed but both Gillies and Cunningham cleared the stand with their shots, before Gillies thought she had a seventh, but the goal seconds before the final whistle was ruled offside.

A 6-1 win under the Buckinghamshire clouds was the perfect response to last week's defeat sets the Grecians up perfectly for a return to Cup action.

Exeter City Women are back in Devon next week, as they make the journey down to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup Second Round.