1/10/20 - Exeter City Women (H) - FAWNL Div 1

Report by Greg Mogford

Bucks fell to back to back defeats on Thursday night, at the hands of local rivals Exeter. The yellows started the game the brighter of the two sides, winning an early free kick as Maria Warman was fouled on the right, the delivery caused all kinds of problems in the Grecians back line, but no one in a yellow shirt could quite get on the end of it. Buckland’s early supremacy was producing results, as Leah Brooks forced another defensive error from City, but her shot was blocked from close range before Emily Hannaford fired the rebound over the bar.

Exeter won a free kick, after energetic midfielder Hana Bennett gave away a free kick for a late foul, from the free kick, the ball bounced to a City player, who hit a deflected shot which seemed destined for the bottom corner, but a heroic goal line clearance from Mollie Taylor kept parity. From the resulting corner, Sarah Stacey started an energetic breakaway, but Bucks failed to convert the chance. City then fired another shot wide of Bonds upright, before a Buckland corner was cleared to the edge of the box, before Zoe Cunningham rifled a low drive into the bottom left corner beyond the despairing dive of the reds goalkeeper.

Exeter responded well to the setback however, immediately forcing a corner at the opposite end, but it came to nothing. Full back Sarah Smith then played in Meg wood down the left, but her cross was cleared. Then disaster struck for Bucks, as they failed to clear a cross from the right, and a well struck shot nestled into the back of Bond’s net to level the score. Exeter tails were now up, and continued to pepper The yellow goal, Bond produced a good save, but then, as Bucks failed to deal with another cross, the Grecians took the lead.
 Bucks had to respond, and looked to immediately, with Hannaford collecting the ball, driving forward before feeding the dangerous Stacey who fired wide. Wood & Bennett both fired shots wide as it seemed more & more likely the next goal would be a yellow one, however when it came, it was a City one, and in controversial circumstances. Bucks were left incensed as it looked as though a clear foul had been committed before the City player crashed a shot home from the edge of the area, but their appeals were in vain, as the half time whistle sounded with Bucks having a lot to do.

HALF TIME: Buckland Athletic 1-3 Exeter City

Second Half

Bucks came out in the second half needing a response, but were left shell shocked by a barrage of early Exeter chances, with a volley fired over before Bond tipped a shot over to give away a corner, which was well cleared. But then as City crossed a ball, Bucks failed to clear, a looping shot was sent over Bond who was helpless to prevent City’s lead extending.

Buckland looked to force the issue, with Stacey pressing high & forcing a chance to start a comeback. A yellow switch was made, as Carmen Morison replaced Hannaford, but the next chance fell to Exeter as a free header was fired over the bar. Taylor, who adopted a more attacking role, fired a shot wide. Defender Alex Sheppard then was forced of with a minor injury, replaced by Alex Hugh. Then Hana Bennett suffered a horrendous injury, which forced a lengthy delay. All at Buckland wish her well in her recovery.

She was replaced by Natalie Warman, who soon after found herself in the book after an altercation on the right hand side. Bucks started well after the restart, however the Grecians added two late goals, both breakaway finishes as Bucks tried desperately to get back into the game. As the full time whistle went on what felt a very long night, the pain was clear to see on all those faces of a yellow persuasion.

FULL TIME: Buckland Athletic 1-6 Exeter City