In a humdinger of a pre-season friendly, Exeter City Ladies were just on the wrong end of the result despite scoring four times against Tottenham Hotspur Ladies. Spurs, who play a tier above Exeter in the Premier League Southern Division, had to come from behind to take a 5-4 victory. Like their previous outings, Exeter Ladies played a fixture of three half-hour thirds. And despite the Grecians starting the brighter, and seeing Helen Kukor and Tash Knapman denied by smart saves, it was Spurs who took the lead when allowed Jess Cheeseman to race through to convert a one-on-one. Exeter heads didn't drop though and short, sharp passes drew out the opposition and Lola Garcia Sanchez netted confidently when released.
In the second period, Exeter took the lead for the first time as Kukor put on the afterburners when released by Knapman and finished well, before Knapman herself added her name to the scoresheet with a half-volley from Kirsty Caunter's deep cross. However a goal-fest in the final half-hour was the undoing of City. Spurs switched to an ambitious 4-2-4 formation and it paid early dividends as Siobhan Wilson pounced on a poor clearance before Derrie O'Halloran drew level with a header. A second for Cheeseman put Spurs back in the lead, before City regrouped and equalised when Knapman converted Carla Staddon's cross. Spurs were showing their experience and fitness in the closing moments, but the game looked set to end all-square until Bianca Baptiste headed what turned out to be the winner with just minutes remaining.
