Exeter City suffer 3-0 derby defeat

Two goals in the first half from Harvey and Reid, and a follow-up by Nelson in the second saw Argyle the victors in the much-anticipated Devon derby.

Exeter City were unable to get on the score sheet as a composed Argyle took the full sum of the points at Home Park this afternoon.

The game also saw the appearance of new signing Graham Cummins in his first competitive fixture for City. Following the lifting of the transfer embargo yesterday, Paul Tisdale didn’t hesitate in completing his first piece of business. Striker Cummins started amongst the substitutes on the away trip to Plymouth and appeared for the second-half, making a distinct impact in the final third.

The much-anticipated away derby also saw City’s own Liam Sercombe return to the line-up, with youngster Jordan Tillson making another competitive start for the club. A further change, to the Grecian side that was defeated by Bournemouth mid-week, saw Matt Oakley replace Arron Davies in the centre of the park.

Meanwhile, the Pilgrims made one change to the side that went the distance with Leyton Orient on Tuesday. Injured Lee Cox made way for youngster Tyler Harvey, while striker Reuben Reid started up top for the home side following his hard-battled brace in Argyle’s mid-week cup game.

Very early in the half, both sides sought to express their purpose. An early strike from the home side saw Ollie Norburn send a blistering shot, from the edge of Exeter’s box, just over the bar.

At the other end of the pitch, a long ball from Tillson found Tom Nichols in the middle of the opposition half. The striker found Sercombe with a neat lay off, whose quick feet saw him find space. He let one fly, but he was just off-target over Luke McCormick’s right-hand corner.

However, the home side soon demonstrated their speed and prowess in attack. Although Lewis Alessandra watched his high-powered attempt at goal disappear into the stand behind Pym’s net, this was the beginning of the home side’s assault on the Grecian’s defence.

The first of the home side’s goals occurred in the fourteenth minute. Exeter skipper Scot Bennett brought down Jason Banton on the left-hand corner of his area, conceding a free kick in an incredibly dangerous position. Tyler Harvey stepped up with confidence and his well-directed, composed shot sailed past the wall and into Christy Pym’s top right-hand corner. An excellent shot that Pym or the defensive wall could do nothing about.

A period of intense pressure followed. Most notably, a skilful exchange between Harvey and Reid confirmed the home side’s desire to go further ahead. Harvey lay off a superb ball to Reid, who was charging straight into the Grecian’s box, and promptly gave it back inside. Harvey could only manage to put it wide of the upright. It was a wasted chance, and City must have felt fortunate to escape an increase to the margin.

The resulting pressure that followed the goal saw City’s defensive capabilities being tested. Tillson did well to deal with the speed of Alessandra and Pat Baldwin, in a repeat of Tuesday night’s performance, put in some sterling work.

Exeter also made some attacking movements into Argyle’s final third, but were lacking the composure to complete. A neat 1-2 between Danny Butterfield and Sercombe resulted in a low, driving cross into the box, but Nichols couldn’t connect.

The Pilgrims extended their lead in the thirty-sixth minute with a clinical goal from striker Reid. A clearly buoyed and lively Harvey played a grounded pass to Reid, who was waiting in centre of the Grecian’s box. The striker hit an excellent right-footed shot, driving low and to the left of Pym.

It was Bennett who received the first official caution of the game during the closing minutes of the half. Bennett received his yellow for a shoulder barge on Reid in a near-identical position to the earlier goal. The result saw Harvey flick up the ball and hit it on the volley. However, the shot ploughed straight into the wall and was easily cleared by City’s lines.

The visitors saw out the half, looking slightly livelier than they had done earlier, but not developing anything in the opposition box.

Half time: Plymouth Argyle 2 Exeter City 0