Report: Forest Green Rovers 0 Exeter City 1

Exeter City’s earned a valuable three points at Forest Green Rovers despite being reduced to 10 men for the majority of the second half.

The Grecians, who took the lead after four minutes through Nigel Atangana, had their goalscorer sent-off for a straight red card a minute into the second half and then had to withstand 18 shots at their goal, including one penalty, to earn a victory.

Matt Taylor made three changes to the side that had drawn with Colchester United last time out as Nicky Law, Nigel Atangana and Ryan Bowman came back into the side.

And it was one of those returning players that got City off to a winning start. First off it was good work from Bowman and Lee Martin to win a ball on the edge of the box and work it to Law and when he rolled a pass into the path of Atangana he found the bottom corner with an expertly placed side foot finish. The game was only four minutes old at that point and City could have extended their lead a couple of minutes later when Law got hold of the ball in the box, jinked past a challenge and then hit and effort that the keeper deflected onto his crossbar.

The Grecians territory and threat continued for the remainder of the first half, but Forest Green Rovers had a couple of chances on the break. The first saw Jonny Maxted called into action to palm a Liam Shephard cross out of his six-yard area and then he had to be equally adept to turn a Junior Mundal half volley around his post.

City also had a Law free-kick that was chipped into the six-yard box, only for a Forest Green defender to head behind, but in truth a lot of the first half – after a bright opening – was played in between the two 18-yard boxes.

For the complete report click HERE