Exeter City 3-2 Chelsea Under 21’s

Two late goals from Chelsea’s Ike Ugbo was not enough to deny Exeter City their first home win of the Checkatrade trophy, writes Jonty Colman.

Goals from Ollie Watkins, David Wheeler and Liam McAlinden gave the Grecians their first win of the cup campaign.

The hosts’ played the Blues’ youngsters off the park for the majority of the game where first team experience really proved to be a huge difference between the sides.

Exeter manager Paul Tisdale made five changes to his starting line which proved to be a good decision as the hosts took the lead inside the first two minutes. A great passing move by City was finished off after a strong back post header from Ollie Watkins via a Liam McAlinden outside foot cross.

The hosts doubled their lead midway through the first half with a superb curling effort from the edge of box. Wheeler showed good skill to beat two defenders before cutting in on his right foot and finding the top corner of the net to grab his second goal in all competitions this season.

The Blues’ only real first half chance came from Charlie Wakefield as his shot from beat goalkeeper Christian Pym but forced a great goal-line clearance from 16 year old Exeter defender Ethan Ampadu.

McAlinden, who provided the first goal, put his side three goals clear just minutes into the second half. Pierce Sweeney’s low driven cross from the right hand side flew straight across the penalty box to the feet of McAlinden who slotted his shot past a stranded Bradley Collins in the Chelsea net for his second goal of the season in all competitions.

Chelsea got one back midway through the second half. A very impressive strike from Ike Ugbo from twenty yards out flew straight past ‘keeper Pym for his first Checkatrade trophy goal of the campaign.
Ugbo’s second came in second half stoppage time with another strike from the edge of the penalty area but the late comeback proved to be too late for the youth side.

City manager Tisdale felt that “It was a great opportunity to play in a different circumstance and we enjoyed it”.

The evening kick off was seen by an attendance of 1,979 with an away contingent of 263 fans who out sung the home fans for 90 minutes.

The result moves Exeter City above Chelsea under 21’s in Group C and eliminates the London side with one group game remaining at home to Oxford United. The Grecians face Swindon Town at home in their final fixture needing a win to progress to the knockout phase of the competition.