It was honours even in Argyle Women’s first Devon Derby of the season, as the Greens drew 1-1 away to Exeter City.
After a goalless first half, the Grecians went in front via a Sophie Gillies strike, but Argyle equalised with a goal from Tianna Teisar.
Argyle started the better of the sides, keeping the ball for extended periods, but never truly testing Exeter’s backline.
On numerous occasions Charlotte Whitmore got down Argyle’s left, and sent several balls into the centre. A couple times, the delivery was not what it could have been; a couple more times it was decent, but no-one could capitalise.
Ella Stephens had a long-range effort that was not too far over, and Phoebie dragged one wide just moments after Exeter’s first half-chance, when Amber Pollock reached a dangerous position, but her cutback was really well headed clear by Roisin Kivel.
City felt they had a claim for a penalty and perhaps more when Sophie Gillies caught Caitlin Smith on the ball and got in behind. Depending on your allegiance you may feel that Smith brought Gillies down when through on goal, or that it was a superb recovery challenge. The referee decided there was no infringement; City were not impressed.
In the second half, Argyle carved out the best chance of the game to that point, in the 55th minute. Arabellie Suttie released Whitmore, who surged down the left and cut back to Poole, who opened up her body to shoot, but pushed it wide.
Argyle seemed on top, generate several corners and free-kicks in good areas, but Exeter always looked a threat on the break, and this began to evolve into opportunities.
Substitute Maddie Durrant hit one from the edge of the box which Hermione Cull tipped onto the bar, and the Argyle goalkeeper also saved really well, low to her right from an effort from Gillies.
The Greens could not keep Gillies out forever, though, and although Cull made another stop in the build-up, Gillies was on hand to force the ball over the line to give City a 71st-minute lead.
Argyle looked to respond, and a sweetly struck effort from 20 yards by substitute Tamara Wilcock was not far over the bar.
Then, her fellow sub, Teisar, struck for the Pilgrims – and what a week she is having.
The previous Friday, 19-year-old Teisar was making her senior Wales debut, as a substitute. Just 24 hours prior to this game, Teisar started for Wales against Poland, playing the first half.
Understandably, she did not start at St James Park, but what a impact she made. She had already been on one mazy run that saw he beat three players, only to have her pass inside picked out. Then, she nailed it.
Driving down the left, Teisar dropped a shoulder, came inside, then fired low, inside Abbi Bond’s near post. Argyle had parity – and the momentum.
However, despite dominating the final ten minutes of the so of the game, including a Layla Proctor shot that landed on the roof of the net, Argyle could not find their winner, and had to settle for a point.
Argyle: 1 Hermione Cull, 6 Layla Proctor, 7 Charlotte Whitmore (24 Tianna Teisar, 72), 9 Phoebie Poole, 11 Roisin Kivel (capt), 16 Ella Stephens (14 Katie Wilson, 76), 17 Paris Dalton (15 Tamara Wilcock, 61), 18 Caitlin Smith, 19 Ellie Noble, 23 Olivia Francis, 26 Arabella Suttie. Substitutes: 21 Eilish Brogan (gk), 2 Katie Dickson, 5 Giota Papaioannou, 30 Shana Dolbel.
Goal: Teisar 80
Booked: Kivel 45
Exeter: 1 Abbi Bond, 2 Bow Jackson (capt), 4 Jaydee Seaman, 5 Fearne Slocombe (7 Phoebe Baker, 83), 8 Beth Ireland (17 Maddie Durrant, half-time), 10 Sarah Stacey (9 Ellie Sara, 83), 15 Ishbel Zuurmond, 18 Mollie Taylor, 21 Sophie Gillies, 22 Leah Burridge, 23 Amber Pollock (14 Emily Poole, 88). Substitutes: 12 Olivia Giles (gk), 3 Emily Toogood, 6 Jess Sandland.
Goal: Gillies 71
Booked: Zuurmond 60, Seaman 88, Poole 90
