Exeter City win at Cheltenham

Match report: Cheltenham 1 Exeter City 2

Exeter City claimed a first ever win at Whaddon Road, with Tom Nichols and Graham Cummins striking in a 2-1 win for the Grecians against Cheltenham Town.

Nichols’ deft finish gave Exeter a midway through the first-half, and Cummins was alive to a goalkeeper spillage to firm up the scoreline a few minutes from time.

A late own-goal gave the Robins hope but ultimately City held out to claim the victory.

With Alex Nicholls missing completely through injury and Clinton Morrison only fit enough for the bench, David Wheeler and Graham Cummins stepped into the attacking positions for Exeter.

A third change saw the return to fitness of Jamie McAllister, who came in at left-back in place of teenager Connor Riley-Lowe. Jamie Reid also made a long-awaited return to the fold to take a seat amongst the subs.

Former Grecians captain Matt Taylor returned to the Robins’ starting XI to start against his former club, but ex-City forward Eliot Richards missed out on the squad altogether with injury.

Exeter’s preparation was dealt a late blow as James Hamon sustained an injury in the warm-up, meaning that he had to begin on the bench – meaning a starting berth between the sticks for Christy Pym in a forced fourth change to the squad.

The hosts started brightly and a quick break down the right could have brought the game’s first goal – Danny Haynes slipped in Wes Burns in the channel, but the angle was tight and his effort was wide on the far side.

After a spell of pressure from City, Burns then had the chance to turn provider for the hosts as he skipped around a tackle on the right flank and delivered a cross for Shaun Harrad. The striker applied a glancing header but it was past the far post.

However the game’s first goal went Exeter’s way. A free-kick downfield from Pym was launched up to Wheeler – his flick on was controlled beautifully by Nichols, who lifted the ball over Trevor Carson with his second touch and found the back of the net.

Cheltenham then picked up a number of bookings for poorly timed tackles. Matt Sparrow lunged in on Jordan Moore-Taylor, Christian Ribeiro was bumped over by Craig Braham-Barrett and Wes Burns hacked down Nichols as the Robins took a physical approach to the game.

Wheeler, Cummins and Nichols were working hard in attack and making life difficult for the hosts’ back-four; Wheeler did well to cut in off the right and saw a left-footed strike blocked out on the edge of the D.

And then some neat play down the left allowed Ryan Harley to clip a ball to the back post, but Wheeler was adjudged to have fouled Braham-Barrett as he attacked the ball in the six-yard box.

Half-time: Cheltenham Town 0 Exeter City 1