Division One South West: Bridgwater United Women 1-5 Exeter City Women

BRIDGWATER United started their 2023/24 season with a heavy defeat at home at the weekend against Exeter City Women.

The match at Fairfax Park was a difficult one for the Robins as they were out-played throughout the 90 minutes.

Right from the off Exeter City were in control as the visitors pushed for an early goal.

And that they did as with just 22 seconds on the clock, Zoe Watkins pounced on a loose ball and bundled in the rebound off the goalkeeper to make it 0-1.

Chance after chance came for Exeter from there on as it was clear Bridgwater were off the pace a touch in the opening exchanges.

The lead was doubled in the 38th minute as Watkins scored her second after she smashed it into the far corner from the edge of the box.

At the break the score remained 0-2 in favour of Exeter and an improved second was needed from the Robins.

In the second half more of the same came from the away side as they managed the game well.

In the 60th minute former Bridgwater striker Jenna Markham won a header that fell into Watkins' path who tapped it home for her hattrick and Exeter’s third of the afternoon.

Markham then followed that up with a goal of her own soon after with a strike from distance and that looped over the goalkeeper for four.

The game looked to dwindle to full-time but in the 90th minute Exeter were awarded a penalty which was scored by Watkins to make it four for her and five for City.

Then in added time, Holly Tappin pulled a goal back for United after she got past the goalie and dispossessed a defender to slot the ball into the goal.

This highlighted the fight in this Bridgwater squad, but still they were some way off the pace, perhaps due to the amount of outgoings in recent weeks at Bridgwater.

Key departures of experienced duo Charlotte Buxton and Ffion Llewellyn, alongside talented youngsters Tia Asker and Ellie Sara, has left Manager Grant Fisher in the hunt for new players.

Forwards Chloe Snook and Georgia Vandries have arrived from Larkhall Athletic and Bristol Rovers respectively, whilst Katie Davies also joins from The Gas alongside former Plymouth Argyle youngster Taylor Ford. 

Bridgwater will look to put in an improved performance next Sunday away against AFC Bournemouth in the FA Women's National League Cup.