Exeter City Women face key promotion test

Exeter City Women are back on home turf for the first time in over a month as they take on AFC Wimbledon at Coach Road this Sunday. With just six games left in the season, every point is vital in their push for promotion.

City have endured a challenging spell on the road, picking up a gritty win at Billericay Town before falling to a cruel late defeat at league leaders Ipswich Town. But Abbie Britton’s side will take heart from that performance as they prepare for another stern test against the Dons.

AFC Wimbledon have adapted well to life in the third tier after a summer of strong recruitment. They currently sit in sixth place, with a string of impressive results keeping them clear of danger.

Kau’inohea Solomon-Taylor and Rosie Kite, both familiar faces for Exeter from their Moneyfields days, will pose a serious threat. Solomon-Taylor, in particular, has caused City problems in the past, netting three times against them last season.

Wimbledon’s form has been mixed in recent weeks, with a battling 1-0 victory over Oxford United followed by defeats to Hashtag United and Plymouth Argyle. City will be hoping to capitalise on any vulnerabilities as they seek their first home win of 2025.

“If the players use Sunday as motivation to spur them on for the rest of the year, we’ll have a very promising final six games,” said Britton, urging her squad to step up as the season reaches its climax.

Exeter will be eager to put things right after suffering a 4-1 defeat in the reverse fixture. Zoe Cunningham’s stunning equaliser was a brief moment of joy before the Grecians were reduced to ten players under the sin bin ruling, allowing Wimbledon to run riot with three quick-fire goals.

With momentum to regain and a promotion push to sustain, Exeter will be determined to put on a performance in front of their home crowd. Expect a fiercely contested battle at Coach Road. Up the City!