Bournemouth too much for the Grecians

Match report: Exeter 0 Bournemouth 2

An unfortunate own goal by Scot Bennett, followed by a composed Dan Gosling finish saw the Cherries progress through to the second round of the league cup.

It was a fine evening that welcomed both sets of supporters to St James Park in the opening fixture in the Capital One cup. Paul Tisdale took to the pitch just before kick-off to officially accept the FA equality and fair play trophy for the previous season, as the Grecians lined up with the Big Bank behind them.

Paul Tisdale had made three changes to the side that drew with Portsmouth in their first league outing last Saturday. David Wheeler made his first start of the season replacing Aaron Dawson, who started on the bench next to youngsters Connor Riley-Lowe and Ollie Watkins. Liam Sercombe also gave way for Welshman Arron Davies and Danny Butterfield starting in place of Matt Oakley.

For the other side, Bournemouth fielded a completely different starting 11 to the side that won 4-0 on the road at Huddersfield last Saturday. Callum Wilson, who scored a brace for the Cherries on the weekend, started on the bench alongside fellow goal scorer and club favourite, Yann Kermorgant.

It was clear that the visitors sought to dominate possession early in the half. Initial attempts to stamp their authority on the game, saw them concede two clumsy free kicks within minutes of kick-off. However, Exeter seemed keen to battle.

The first real danger saw Bournemouth left-winger, Junior Stanislas, tear into the left hand side of the box and play a neat little cross right across the face of goal. Fortunately, for City the speed of the winger ensured that there wasn’t a player there to meet it. Although, the ball looked like it was slowly heading out to give Christy Pym a goal kick, the quick reactions of a ball boy saw Exeter awarded a drop ball.

Bournemouth really wanted to press the home side. An Ian Harte corner, sent high over the box, was received and well struck by Fraser on the edge of City’s box. The midfielder struggled to control it and instead it sailed over the bar and into the Big Bank.

It was only a matter of time until the visitors had a shot on target. A powerful, right-footed shot from Ryan Fraser forced an excellent save from Pym, low and to his left.

City’s defensive lines held firm. Pat Baldwin made a number of crucial blocks and Jordan Tillson dealt exceptionally well with the visitor’s extended pressure. Although the Grecians seemed to be on the back-foot throughout the opening half, they were composed at the back. Grecians captain Scot Bennett looked formidable, as he cleared a powerful Elliott Ward header off his own line.

Despite what seemed like unrelenting pressure from the visitors, there were a few exciting attacking moments from City. A perfect cross across the park by Matt Grimes was chested down by Craig Woodman, but he couldn’t quite lay off the pass before being dispossessed by Cherries captain Elliott Ward. Tom Nichols looked to break the visitor’s back-line on two occasions but the linesman’s flag denied both.

Bournemouth left-winger, Stanislas, and striker, Rantie, seemed to work well together in the final third. Rantie played a lovely little flick across the box to Stanislas whose right-footed curler to the left of Pym came close, but hit the woodwork. This was the closet the visitors got to take the lead in the opening half.

The first half saw an unrelenting assault on the Grecian lines, but the home side weathered the storm, surviving with a composure and pragmatism that will stand them in good stead in the league this season. They will be pleased to enter the tunnel having held firm.

Half time: Exeter City 0 AFC Bournemouth 0