Grecians stumble in JPT opener

Exeter City were put out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy by Wycombe Wanderers, who came out 2-0 winners at St James Park.

The breakthrough for Wycombe came on the half-hour mark as Matt McClure was man released on a swift counter-attack and he slotted home with aplomb.

The game was sealed in the final ten minutes when Anthony Stewart arrived at the back post to head in a cross from his defensive partner Sam Wood.

Under-18 prodigy Matt Jay had been handed squad number 27 for the tie, for his first involvement in the senior competitive setup. Meanwhile captain Danny Coles was rested for the fixture, meaning a place in centre-half for Scot Bennett. He was partnered in the heart of defence by Jordan Moore-Taylor, with Pat Baldwin – wearing the captain’s armband – slotted in at right-back.

Following his two-goal salvo at the weekend, Alan Gow was handed a starting berth against the Chairboys with Sam Parkin leading the line. Jake Gosling was also handed his first start of the campaign, with David Wheeler on the other flank.

The visitors began with some neat passing football and fashioned the first chance of the game within minutes, as a ball squirmed loose into the path of Nick Arnold, but his first-time shot missed by some distance from outside the area.