Grecians exit the Carabao Cup at the hands of Bristol City

Exeter City’s 20/21 season kicked off in defeat as the Grecians were beaten 2-0 at Ashton Gate by a strong Bristol City side in the Carabao Cup first round

Jamie Paterson put Bristol City ahead in the first half, whilst substitute Antoine Semeyo sealed the win with a late strike from close range.

Matt Taylor named a starting side that was a blend of youth and experience as he handed debuts to new signings Lewis Page and Rory McArdle, as well as starts for Academy products Will Dean, Josh Key and Joel Randall.

Bristol City were quick to set the early tempo, as the side that sit two leagues above the Grecians and would forge the first chance of the match as Diédhiou nodded a long ball over City’s backline for Nahki Wells to poke over the bar.

City would quickly grow into the match and found their rhythm with some neat passing which led to Matt Jay turning on the edge of the box and sending a fierce shot towards the Bristol goal which took a slight touch and went just wide.

Jay was proving difficult for the Bristol defence and a few minutes later would turn his defender and send a shot towards the top corner, which Dan Bentley was at full stretch to claw to safety.

The Robins showed a touch of class in the 35th minute as a quick passing move from the back to open the scoring. Taylor Moore found Andi Weimann who sent a first-time ball through to Hunt on the wing who rolled a ball across the six-yard box to find the unmarked Paterson whose first-time shot had enough power to beat Lewis Ward in the Grecians goal.

The Robins would create a couple half chances as they looked to double their lead before half-time, before Josh Key had a decent chance from a Matt Jay corner, which he headed wide. At the other end Lewis Ward got fingertips to a fierce shot that was heading to the top corner from Nahki Wells as Bristol City went into the break with a 1-0 lead.

For the full match report click HERE