The Grecians take all three points at St James Park
Dean Moxey’s strike deep into first-half injury time proved the difference in a win for Exeter City as they overcame Stevenage at St James Park.
The Grecians put in a dominant display in the first half, and they scored the all-important goal when Moxey was in the right place at the right time to fire home in a crowded penalty area.
City then defended well for the rest of the match, as they kept a clean sheet to continue their good run of form.
City manager Matt Taylor made two changes from the side that drew 1-1 at Port Vale on Saturday, with Lee Martin and Jordan Tillson dropping out for Lee Holmes and Jonathan Forte.
The Grecians were lightening quick from the off and were unfortunate not to take the lead within the opening minute, as pressure from Forte created an improvised shooting opportunity for Jayden Stockley, but his powerfully hit effort hit the visiting goalkeeper Seny Dieng - and the upright - before rebounding away from the Stevenage goal with only 40 seconds on the clock.
City dominated possession in the opening exchanges, and Dieng was again called into action after 8 minutes as a superb pass from Stockley found Nicky Law wide on the left-hand flank; his cross was met by Forte, but the looping header was held easily by the Swiss shot-stopper.
Play was brought to a halt after the quarter of an hour mark as the medical team at St James Park were required to treat a supporter who had been taken ill. Of course, Exeter City's best wishes go out to those involved in the incident.
Stevenage made the first half a scrappy one, persisting with fouls in the City build-up, but one of the home side’s best chances of the opening 45 came as a result of a good passing move that eventually fell to Hiram Boateng on the edge of the box. His shot hit Stockley, however, and was then cleared.
The Grecians’ target-man was then unlucky not to score himself, as he received the ball on the inside right channel a few moments later, but he blasted the shot over the bar after making a good shooting opportunity for himself.
Law was the next man to chance his luck for the Grecians; a delightful in-swinging cross from Lee Holmes was met by the winger’s head, but the effort landed on top of the Stevenage goal after 37 minutes.
The Grecians were not to be denied, though, and took the lead deep into first-half injury time as they were presented with a flurry of chances following an error by Dieng in the Stevenage goal. His fumble gave Forte a chance that was scrambled away, but only as far as Jayden Stockley, though the striker – normally so reliable from close range – saw his effort hit the bar. City were not to be denied and the rebound fell very kindly for Moxey, who smashed home with his left-foot in what proved to be the last action of the half.
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