Graddon Vending Devon Women’s Supplementary Cup Final

Liverton United 1 (3) v 1 (2) Exeter City Women 2nds

Played at Coach Road, Newton Abbot 11/06/2021

This very competitive contest was somewhat surprisingly decided by kicks from the penalty spot,  which was heart-breaking for Rhiannon Dumper in the Exeter goal. As early as the 3rd minute she was diving at the feet of Liverton’s Jenny Hammond who proved constantly to be a thorn in the side of the City defence. In the 7th minute Hammond was through again but shot straight at Dumper. Two minutes later Liverton almost went ahead from the first corner of the match swung in from the right, Dumper making a point blank save to keep the scores level.

Liverton seemed well on top in the early stages but suddenly, in the 11^th minute, found themselves a goal down, Kelsey Salter sliding a pass through the defence to Chloe Harris who gave the Liverton custodian Emma Ayres no chance with a fierce cross shot into the far corner.

In the thirteenth minute Harris drove another good chance just wide as Exeter gradually took hold of the game and were generally winning the midfield battle. However, their defence were being kept on their toes by Liverton’s more direct style, Dumper seeing much more of the ball than Ayres.

With three minutes of the half remaining Liverton drew level from a corner, the ball being swung in from the left and poked home from close range by Mel Woodmore. In the first minute of added time they almost went ahead, Katie Sawyer driving in a shot from distance that Dumper did well to turn aside for a corner. And so, at the break the scores remained level a 1 goal apiece.

Liverton, lifted by scoring just before half time, started the second half on the front foot but did not make best use of the possession until the 53^rd minute, when Charlotte Dymond got on the end of a pass from Hannah Drummond to force a brilliant save from Dumper at her near post. In the 65^th minute Antonia Nash had a good chance to put Exeter ahead but her left foot shot went just wide of the far post.

In the 77^th minute Dumper pulled off a brilliant save turning a 15 yard volley from Charlotte Jeffrey over the bar to deny Liverton yet again, the resulting corner being headed wide by Drummond. Both teams were giving everything, but tired legs were beginning to tell on both sides and despite their best efforts the final whistle came with the scores tied, the destination of the cup to be decided by kicks from the penalty spot.

Exeter had the advantage of taking the first kick but placed it wide and despite Dumper saving one of the Liverton kicks she could only watch as her team contrived to miss the target on three occasions giving the victory to Liverton by 3 goals to 2.

Player of the Match -  Rhiannon Dumper (Exeter City)

Dennis Smith

Devon County FA