Young Grecians defeat Exmouth in Devon Bowl

EXETER CITY         4 – 2      EXMOUTH TOWN
(Jay – 9,10; Nichols – 61,86p)  (Coombes-4; High-55)

By Rob Jennings, at St James Park

A youthful City side featuring five regular first teamers progressed to the quarter finals of the St Lukes Challenge Cup with a 4-2 victory over a SouthWest Peninsula Premier team who battled well throughout.

A brace apiece from Matt Jay and skipper Tom Nichols outnumbered Town’s goals from Lewis Coombes and Ace High in what was an entertaining duel between Exeter’s pace and flair versus Exmouth’s height and strength.

The hosts began as expected and fluffed an open goal in the initial moments. But when the visitors set up for their first free kick in the fifth minute the size advantage was obvious. A first header from Ed Weekes landed at Lewis Coombes who netted to the delight of travelling fans.

Yet the shock lead lasted just minutes – spoilt by Matt Jay who slid the ball in during the aftermath of another free kick to level the score.

And it was the promising forward who turned the tie around seconds later, grabbing his second at the culmination of an attack straight from the restart.

At this stage there was a danger of Exmouth conceding a handful – a succession of chances and goalkeeper errors were not capitalised upon though, meaning the game was still within reach by half time.

And so it proved, as Exmouth emerged to the field a better side and earnt a 55th minute equaliser from Ace High who fired in from Dan Boere’s cross at the usual away terrace whilst falling. Perhaps it was a mistake for Town to press in the following passages of play in search of regaining their earlier lead.

After a sustained period in Exeter’s half they were caught on the counter by a speedy double act from Jay and Nichols. The latter slotted past an outnumbered defence and keeper to again save the League Two club’s embarrassment.

Exmouth produced little from then on, and City missed several chances to add to the tally including a wild David Wheeler shot when one-on-one with Grant Fisher which went out for a throw in on the cowshed side.

A few minutes from time however ECFC did grab a fourth. After a trip in the box, Tom Nichols struck the subsequent penalty to secure the win.

Both sides can surely take something from this game. Exmouth scored two decent goals and created opportunities at a venue relatively alien to their level. City played swiftly and fluently with some star performances, and despite the six goals both keepers made some athletic saves.

Exeter’s opposition in the next round – Plymouth away – will be reward enough for their solid win against ex-Grecian Richard Pears’ team.

TEAMS: ECFC – Pym (GK) , Tilson (CB) , Moore-Taylor (CB ) , Dawson (RB) , Wannell (LB) , Grimes (CM) , Keohane (CM) , Wheeler (RM) , Gosling (LM) , Jay (SS) , Nichols (CF & Cptn), Subs – Hamon, Riley-Lowe, Watkins, Pope, Rigg;  EMTH – G.Fisher (GK), Weekes (CB), K.Fisher (CB), Woodin (RB), Veere (LB), Moore (CM), Boere (CM), Hill (RM), Thomson (LM), High (CF), Coombes (CF), Subs – Saunders, Yeoman, Pears, Greening

REF: Mark Greenwood          

LINESMEN: Jamie Hayward & Cameron Mann

MOTM: Matt Jay – bagged a brace and assisted the third in another great performance.

ATT.: 209              K.O 19:30     WED 16 OCT