City out of Checkatrade Trophy

Exeter City crashed out of the Checkatrade Trophy with a 3-1 defeat at home to Chelsea under-21's.

Despite an early goal from Reuben Reid, the Grecians were pegged back by the blues' youngsters who levelled through Callum Hudson-Odoi, before Reece James and Josh Grant sealed the win for the away side. City boss Paul Tisdale rang the changes for the Grecians in a competition where he has frequently given fringe players opportunities to impress. In fact, Kane Wilson was the only starter from City’s 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley at the weekend that retained their place in the starting line-up.

Despite the blues controlling much of the possession in the early stages, it was City who took the lead on seven minutes.

After working a throw-in well on the right-hand side, Kane Wilson delivered an excellent cross to the head of Reid, who made no mistake with his finish as he gave the Grecians the advantage.

Chelsea’s first real chance came on the 20-minute mark, with the likes of Jordan Storey and Craig Woodman doing well to hold off the talented youngsters. But after Dujon Sterling did well on the right to cross, Kylian Hazard’s header edged wide of James Hamon’s post.

As the visitors continued to dominate the ball, Callum Hudson-Odoi had a good opportunity for the away side on 28 minutes, but after being played in down the left-hand side between the City defence, the forward was unable to find the target as he shot well over.

But the tricky forward then pounced on a City defensive mistake seconds later when Woodman’s header back towards Hamon was intercepted by Hudson-Adoi, and he made no mistake that time as he drew the away side level.

Hudson-Adoi then had the chance to put Chelsea ahead on 36 minutes when he charged down Storey’s pass and darted towards goal, but credit to Hamon, who did well to narrow the angle as he made the save from the forward.

The blues continued to press on, only creating half chances, with the City backline majorly doing well to resist the pressure. Meanwhile, the Grecians would often look to use the pace of Kyle Edwards and Jack Sparkes to break forward but were unable to fashion any real chances at Marcin Bulka’s goal going into the break.

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