Victory over Exeter City Women 2nds saw Budleigh Salterton Ladies leapfrog their opponents to top the Devon Women Football League Eastern Division table.

The match, well handled by referee Mr Brian Reeby, turned out to be a clash which had everything. It was very competitive, with some fine football played, strong tackles from all angles, bookings, a player being sin-binned, plus a little matter of seven goals.

Before kick-off, both sides were on 30 points, Exeter having the better goal difference, and whoever won would strengthen their chances of being champions.

It was a lively start by the hosts, playing with the wind on their backs, their accurate passing keeping the Robinettes under pressure. A corner in the 19th minute led to Bron Cousins heading home, 1-0 to Exeter City.

The fighting spirit of the visitors got them back into the game to equalize on 30 minutes with Tahla Williams converting a penalty. It got better for Budleigh nine minutes later, referee Reeby played the advantage following a foul on a Budleigh player, and it was used to good effect by three players before Chloe Williams fired home.

Second-half changes saw a more attacking and aggressive Budleigh unit, Kirsty Brown tormenting the hosts defence, whilst at the other end, Beth Acca’s defending was superb. Kirsty Brown produced a purple patch with a hat-trick including another direct free kick strike, to put the Robinettes 5-1 in front.

She also got on the wrong side of the referee, with her reactions after being fouled, resulting with her being sin binned to cool her down. The hosts made good use of having the extra player in the 10-minute period to add their second, a 20-yard belter from Chloe Harris reducing the score to 2-5.

Having been booked on her return to the action, manager Nick Long substituted Kirsty Brown to watch her team-mates triumph and leading the field with games in hand. A fine team performance by the Robinettes with Tahla Williams and Chloe Williams being named their joint “Player of the Match”.

Budleigh’s next fixture is Ottery St Mary away on Friday, March 25, with a 7.30pm kick-off.