Exeter City Women look to keep unbeaten start going

Exeter City Women face another difficult challenge this weekend as Oxford United visit St James Park, the Yellows one of the leagues consistently competitive sides who will be looking to push for promotion this campaign.

Manager Sam Rose has added a host of strong additions to a squad that finished in fifth position last season, Zoe Creaney and Ruby Sealey signed early in the summer from MK Dons and Billericay Town respectively. Phoebie Poole, who was one of the league’s top goalscorers last season, moved across from Cheltenham Town, whilst former Bridgwater United goalkeeper Beth Howard signed from Southampton.

Jenna Legg, Zoe Barratt and Captain Leah Burridge are all back in Yellow for the new season. Legg had a strong season in midfield last year, scoring five goals and winning six opposition player of the match awards in her eighteen games. Barratt was one of the leading forwards last season, hitting twenty-four goals, with seventeen of those coming in the league.

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Oxford had a difficult opening day, a 3-0 home defeat to Ipswich Town, but since then they have come back strong. A victory at Home Park against Plymouth Argyle (3-1) was followed by a comfortable victory against Abingdon United (10-0). More league success followed with a rout against Gwalia United at Court Place Farm (4-0) before last weekend’s visit to newly promoted AFC Wimbledon ended in a goalless draw.

Abbie Britton’s side have enjoyed a strong start to the new season, last weekend’s late comeback at Gwalia United maintaining their position at the top of the division. Oxford United will prove another challenge for this Grecians squad, but with a strong home record, they will be confident of making it a difficult afternoon for Sam Rose and his Yellows squad.

Ahead of the match, City Women manager Abbie Britton said: "Every week we sit around the table with the coaches and look at the upcoming fixtures and it never gets any easier, but that's what we are in tier 3 for, to compete with the best and we are going to go toe-to-toe with a team who are going to be in and amongst it come the end of the season."