Sky Sports News. Exeter City Women battle for goalless draw with league leaders Hastag United

Grecians earn a point but could have been three against the 10-woman league leaders.

On Sunday afternoon, Exeter City Women won a hard-fought point by drawing 0-0 at Coach Road against 10-woman league leaders Hashtag United.

Abbie Britton made two changes to the starting lineup that defeated Cheltenham Town 3-0 a fortnight ago, with Emily Toogood making her 151st Grecian game and Zoe Cunningham also starting. Jaydee Seaman began the match on the bench after being replaced against the Robins due to an injury.

With both sides seeking to expand their play in wide areas, the early exchanges centered on crosses into the penalty area. Emily Toogood saved a dangerous near-post shot before Hollie Turner was stopped by a fine save from Abbi Bond in the Grecians goal.

Bond dealt well with another near-post cross, coming off her position to block the resultant corner as the visitors pressed for the opening. City were forced to use on set pieces to create their own chances, with Georgie Barbour-Gresham and Mollie Taylor both threatening Tags goalkeeper Frances Angel.

Malika Apindia’s flicked header across goal was just missing a finishing touch as Hashtag continued to threaten with a number of corners and long throws. Bond was busy as her handling was constantly tested by the visitor’s probing delivery in wide areas.

With the Grecians under siege, the half-time whistle appeared to be a welcome relief, but the game’s pivotal moment would occur just before the break. Sophie Gillies broke and sprinted at the United defenders before being felled on the outside of the penalty area; Hayley West received a second yellow card, and the visitors were reduced to ten. Toogood hit the free kick into Angel’s palms, and the halftime whistle blew.

Despite the visitors’ numerical disadvantage, the game’s pattern remained same as the second half began, with Bond saving a fantastic shot from Sammy Rowland as the Tags broke free into the penalty area.

The Grecians were gaining control of midfield areas, with Amber Pollock bursting into the penalty area only to have her shot stopped. Taylor shot over from a City corner as Abbie Britton’s side was having their best stretch of the match.

However, the final 10 minutes were entirely Untied, with Apindia dragging an attempt wide before Bond made another excellent low save. Hashtag would find the back of the goal twice in the final stages, with the linesman’s flag providing much-needed respite to the Grecians on both instances as the visitors appeared to have taken all three points at the death.

The full-time whistle signaled the conclusion of a struggle from start to finish in which both teams gave their best, but City will be the most delighted to have earned a point as the visitors shown why they will be one of the favourites for this season’s title.

The newly promoted Grecians have shown that they will not be taken lightly this season, with seven points in their past three games, positioning them well for the FA Cup clash next weekend.

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