Grecian youngsters fall at first hurdle despite promising performance

Exeter City U18s - 3 - (A Byrne - 14; M Jay - 39, 60)
Swindon Town U18s - 4 - (W Randall - 3; T Johnson - 19, 88; C McCormack - 66)

The Robins left St James Park the happier last night after progressing to the second round of the FA Youth Cup thanks largely to a Tyreke Johnson double amidst a topsy-turvy tie.

Will Randall and Callum McCormack completed a collection of stunning goals for the 1964 finalists, outnumbering City's three from Alex Byrne and a Matt Jay brace.

The hosts twice came from behind in a lively first half. After a flurry of early Exeter attacks, it was the visitors who initially broke the deadlock through Will Randall's unorthodox goal deriving from Evan Moran's charged clearance. The young City keeper is these days effectively third choice after Artur Krysiak as well as 18 year old Christy Pym, and was solid for the remainder showing some leadership from the back at times too.

The Grecian youths didn't take long to level matters when another key presence in Ollie Watkins made a darting dash - finding space for a low cross back which was finished superbly by Alex Byrne from well outside the area.
However, after several chances either way Swindon again edged the tie before 20 minutes had passed. Tyreke Johnson used some skill to slither through defenders and fired home for his first and Town's second.

City responded with further bombardment of shots from Jay and Watkins among others, eventually forcing the away side to again squander their lead. Joe Charles won an Exeter left sided corner that seemingly skipped everyone to land at Matt Jay for a coolly poked equaliser from close range.

Throughout the second period neither team surprisingly seemed to tire - bar a few incidents of cramp and one brief drinks halt, meaning another highly eventful and entertaining half. And it was the Grecian youngsters who this time drew first blood via Jay's second on the hour mark. A speedy break from Watkins culminated in the no. 10 rounding goalie Aaron Moody to tap in with an age to spare at the Big Bank end.

This then meant it was the Robins turn to create pressure and ultimately a goal, which they almost achieved when Lee Marshall missed by an inch. The jackpot was indeed found in brilliant style minutes later from Callum McCormack. In yet another rip-rawing strike from some distance, the ball rattled in off the bar for possibly the best of the lot.

Yet it was the seventh and final goal which proved decisively cruel for Exeter who were still creating the better opportunities. Just two minutes from the 90 as extra time loomed, the magic of Tyreke Johnson was again cast. The man of the match shuttled from at least the half way line in a very quick Swindon counter, and although several of his colleagues had joined the arsenal by the time Johnson reached the box, he solely netted past Moran to the delight of travelling fans and staff.

The young Robins host the victors of tonight's AFC Totton versus Leyton Orient clash, and with such a splendid all round performance at the Park will hope of progression to the third round and the chance of facing the likes of Chelsea or the Manchester's.

Exeter in contrast, like their senior counterparts so far this season, have been eliminated at home in the first round of a cup. However, the likes of Jay - who has to an extent already been recognised by the first team with a JPT appearance from the bench, as well as Watkins and many others - will surely feature in future ECFC senior matches down the years based on last night's displays.

Man of the match: Tyreke Johnson (SWN); ECFC man of the match: Ollie Watkins

Teams:
Exeter : Evan MORAN - GK; Hussein HEIDARI - CB; Charlie MADDEN - CB; Connor RILEY LOWE - LB; James BYRNE - RB; Alex BYRNE - CM; Jason POPE - CM; Joe CHARLES - LM (Cameron GILL - 56); Ollie WATKINS - RM; Matt JAY - F; Dean BILLINGSLEY - F (Toby GOSTLING - 76) ;
Subs Not Used : James MITCHISON; Scott MERRITT; Toby DOWN

Swindon: Aaron MOODY - GK; Salvyn KISITU - CB (Ryan WOOD-55); Luke MATTHEWS - CB; Tommy HOLLAND - RB (Amir GEID - 45); Matty JONES - LB; Callum McCORMACK - CM; Liam WALSH - CM (Chris SMITH - 70); Joe ENGLISH - RM; Tyreke JOHNSON - LM; Lee MARSHALL - F; Will RANDALL - F; Subs Not Used: Curtis DA COSTA; Tom FARRELLY

Referee: Robert DABBS ; ATT.208; KO 19:30 - 6 Nov 2013

By Rob Jennings, at St James Park