Four first half goals were enough to secure three points for Exeter City Women as they beat Billericay Town 4-2.

An unfortunate own goal before a classic Sophie Gillies finish gave the Grecians a two goal lead within 13 minutes, before Amber Pollock and Maya Kendell's first goal in red and white doubled that lead. Billericay scored either side of the half-time break and caused the Grecians a few headaches in the second half, but a resolute defensive performance thereafter won three points and put the team back up to second in the table.

For City's trip across to Essex, Abbie Britton made five changes from the team that drew 1-1 with Gwalia United. Amber Pollock returned from injury, as did Bow Jackson, who reclaimed her captain's armband. Liv Giles was chosen between the posts in goal, while Beth Ireland partnered Pheobe Baker in midfield.

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The hosts carved out the game’s first chance within 30 seconds, winning a free-kick in a central position 30 yards from goal. The experienced Bonnie Horwood stepped up, but her effort sailed over the crossbar. Moments later, Giles gathered another speculative shot from distance with ease.

City responded with a couple of corners and a free-kick won by Sarah Stacey wide on the right. Emily Toogood floated the ball into the box, but Stacey’s attempt glanced onto the roof of the net.

The Grecians were beginning to find their rhythm and took the lead in the 10th minute - albeit in slightly fortuitous circumstances. Pressing high on a Town goal-kick, Sophie Gillies and Stacey blocked the initial ball out before a defender’s attempted clearance looped into the roof of her own net, making it 1-0.

That lead was doubled just three minutes later, with Gillies this time ensuring her name was on the scoresheet. Latching onto Pollock’s pass from the left, she took a neat touch to create space inside the box before rifling a low shot across the goalkeeper and into the net.

Billericay posed a threat from a series of crosses and corners, but Giles commanded her area well, punching clear under pressure.

Exeter also had their moments from set pieces, with Stacey coming close in the 25th minute - her downward header bouncing just wide of the post. Moments later, the Grecians extended their lead to three.

Receiving the ball from Toogood on the left, Pollock weaved her way forward, took a touch inside, and curled a low effort into the far corner, beyond the keeper’s reach.

That goal injected even more energy into Pollock, who, just minutes later, was driving past her full-back once again. This time, instead of shooting, she cut the ball back towards Gillies, but a defender reacted just in time to clear with the City forward lurking.

With confidence flowing through the Grecians, a fourth goal felt inevitable - and it arrived 10 minutes after the third. Pollock delivered another dangerous cross from the left, causing havoc in the Town penalty area. As the ball bounced goalwards, Kendell got the decisive touch, heading it over the line from close range to mark her first goal in red and white.

However, less than a minute later, the hosts pulled one back. A corner from the right was floated into the heart of the penalty area, where Priest rose highest to power a header home.

City’s keeper had to be at her best again before the break, making a crucial one-on-one save to prevent further damage. Despite their dominance, the Grecians went into half-time with the hosts still holding a glimmer of hope.

City began the second half on the front foot, with Pollock continuing to be a menace down the left. She delivered an early cross aimed at Stacey, but the striker couldn’t quite connect, before another dangerous delivery was cleared by the hosts.

However, just four minutes after the restart, Billericay found a way back into the game. Cutting inside from the left, Che Thomas unleashed a powerful strike that flew past Giles and into the net.

Buoyed by the goal, the home side grew in confidence. Thomas was played through one-on-one shortly after but dragged her effort wide, before Giles was called into action once again, making an important stop to preserve City’s two-goal cushion.

Billericay came very close to narrowing the deficit further when a corner led to chaos in City’s six-yard box. Appeals from the home side claimed the ball had crossed the line, but the referee waved play on as the Grecians stood firm.

Looking to steady her team, Britton made a string of substitutions, with Jackson forced off due to a knock. The reshuffle saw Sandland, Seaman, and Toogood form a new defensive trio, and the changes successfully disrupted Billericay’s rhythm.

Pollock continued to threaten, sending in a cross that was just beyond Gillies, before Beth Ireland tested the keeper with a shot from the edge of the area.

As the game entered its final stages, City remained composed. Giles comfortably gathered a Kenley effort with ten minutes to go, before the Grecians nearly sealed the result with a fifth goal.

Stacey’s persistence on the left kept an attack alive, and her cross found Kendell on the edge of the area. The midfielder struck a fierce shot that crashed against the crossbar, denying her a brace. Stacey then had two efforts saved in quick succession, but there was no need for further goals as the referee’s whistle confirmed a well-earned victory for the Grecians.

A first three points of 2025 for City and well deserved in a game of differing halves. Next up for the Grecians is another long trip, this time to Ipswich Town in two weeks time before they return to Coach Road for the visit of AFC Wimbledon on February 23.