Exeter City 1 Lincoln City 0: Match report

Reuben Reid sealed a 1-0 win for Exeter City against Lincoln City after a hard-fought encounter at St James Park in Sky Bet League Two.

The City striker's excellent first-half goal was the difference between the two sides as the visitors put up a stern test for Paul Tisdale’s men.

The Grecians made three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Swindon Town last time out as Luke Croll, Troy Archibald-Henville, and Jake Taylor replaced Jordan Moore-Taylor, Lee Holmes and David Wheeler.

In a first half which didn’t have too many clear chances for both teams, the away side had their first opportunity after six minutes. Neal Eardley’s dangerous cross from the left was inches from Matt Green, as City goalkeeper Christy Pym came out to claim well.

Lincoln then had another good opportunity a couple of minutes later when Green burst down the right to get in behind the City backline. The ball then fell to Michael Bostwick on the edge of the Exeter box, but his effort from distance did little to worry Pym.

Much of the first 20 minutes saw the Grecians struggle to gain a foothold in possession as Danny Cowley’s side kept much of the ball, though were unable to force any clear-cut chances as the City defence battled well.

Paul Tisdale’s side had their first real attempt on goal on 25 minutes after a good passage of play from the Grecians.

Taylor did well to work the ball inside with Pierce Sweeney and drive into the area, but his effort sailed just over Paul Farman’s goal.

Lloyd James then had another effort shortly after for City, who were beginning to strengthen their foothold in the game, but he was unable to keep his low driven effort on target.

More half chances fell for the visitors, and the likes of Green, with the away side again dominating possession towards the end of the first half, but it was City who went ahead three minutes before half time after a fabulous strike from Reid.

On the counter-attack, which proved a regular tool used by Tisdale’s men, Liam McAlinden did well to square it to the City striker to fire into the top corner from a tight angle to register his second goal of the new campaign.

Lincoln were then inches from levelling the match just moments later when a close range free-kick from Jordan Maguire-Drew sailed inches wide of Pym’s post, meaning City went into the break one goal to the good.

Read the full match report here.