Axminster Town Ladies welcomed Exeter City Development for their first home game of the season watched by a big crowd.

Axminster were eager to continue their winning start to the season after the previous week's league opening game against Bradninch FC which saw a hat-trick from new signing Poppy Cloke, a goal from captain on the day Louise Wyatt, two goals from long-time Tiger Maddie Carter and a goal each from new signings Flo Halkyard, Lorna Button, Lily Wheeler and Chelsea Petherbridge. An unbreakable defence saw Axminster win the game 9-0.

Mascots Sophia, Molly and Violet, Axminster youth players, led Axminster out on to the pitch where a minute's applause was honoured before kick-off for Kevin Hack, pioneer for Women's football at Exeter City.

With both teams expecting to be near the top of the table this season, this had all the hallmarks of a close, exciting match.

Exeter City took an early lead with goal from Chloe Harris in the 13th minute after a defensive mistake by Axminster allowing the striker break free and score.

The goal was a wake-up call for Axminster who soon injected some life and speed back into their game, the midfield taking back control with a number of attacks on the Exeter goal being kept at bay by the visiting keeper.

Exeter regained a foothold in the game, with Axminster's keeper Hebe Dyer keeping it at 1-0 as a determined Exeter pushed for their second goal. In the 32nd minute the impressive Poppy Cloke unleased a shot which nestled in the back of the net to level the game for Axminster, a candidate for goal-of-the season in only the second game.

In the 42nd minute, after a perfect cross from Kitty Deem-Stone, Cloke gave Axminster a 2-1 lead to take into half-time with another clinical finish.

The second half opened with more energy and a quick pace to the game and in the first 10 minutes a midfield battle was heating up.

Exeter finally found the break through for their second, which was gifted to Charley Prouse after another defensive mistake by Axminster.

A fired-up Axminster took control and were rewarded with their third goal, it coming from a Poppy Cloke bullet header, making it two hat-tricks in two game and taking the score to 3-2.

Within minutes of the restart, however, Exeter's Chloe Harris delivered her second goal of the game making it 3-3 with 25 minutes to play.

Axminster were now pushing to try and find the winner, missing a number of good chances, the best of which feel to Kitty Deem-Stone with only the woodwork denying her.

Axminster now had complete control of the game and the winning goal came in the 78th minute when Kitty Deem-Stone broke free and finish coolly, giving the Tigers a deserved 4-3 win.

Midfielder Miki Winkler stood out in the Axminster midfield and was named 'Woman of The Match'.

Manager Russell Weller said after the game: "We knew Exeter would be a hard nut to crack. If it wasn't for our own mistakes, that would have been an easier day at the office. We were missing some key players, so it made the result even more satisfying. But let's not get carried away we are a young side and a lot of the girls are still getting used to playing with each other.

"We will learn loads from this and move forward as a group. We have made a very good start to our league campaign, but there's plenty more to come from this group of players. I've set them targets, there will be some bumps in the road along the way but I have no doubt this is going to be an exciting season for the girls. There's a real buzz within the squad."

• The match was followed by the ladies' super sponsor draw which saw 25 local businesses supporting the team. Clarity Taxation is the new tracksuits sponsor, Melanie hair and beauty salon is the match-day top sponsor and Julian Hill Electrical won an advertising board.