Exeter City do the Devon Derby Double over Plymouth
Report: Argyle 1 City 2
Exeter City left it late at Home Park to snatch another three vital Sky Bet League 2 points in the Devon Derby.
Liam Sercombe and Eliot Richards found the net to complete a come-from-behind victory over the Pilgrims, with Reuben Reid having given Argyle the lead shortly before half-time as he converted a penalty conceded by Danny Coles’ handball. Paul Tisdale’s men showed great character to turn it around, sending the elated travelling supporters home happy.
Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale named an unchanged side for the third-consecutive game as the Grecians went in search of back-to-back wins for the first time since the beginning of October – which oddly enough came via a win over Argyle that followed three points against Fleetwood Town, who were beaten at St James Park on Saturday.
Plymouth boss John Sheridan brought midfielder Paul Wotton back into his starting line-up after he missed the Pilgrims’ weekend draw at Accrington Stanley, while Luke Young also came back into the side as the Green Army hoped to avoid succumbing to a Sky Bet League 2 double by their Exeter neighbours. Striker Tope Obadeyi started for the home side on the final game of his loan spell from Bury.
The Grecians started brightly and after just two minutes Liam Sercombe had a shot blocked from just inside the box. Pilgrims captain Conor Hourihane had a shot of his own blocked five minutes later. Danny Coles slid in to deny Reuben Reid after Argyle’s top scorer had produced a powerful run at the City backline with ten minutes gone.
A neat sequence of passing created the opportunity for Nichols to produce the game’s first shot on target as the match approached its quarter-hour, but the collection was comfortable for Plymouth keeper Jake Cole. Luke Young’s shot was deflected perilously close over Artur Krysiak’s bar shortly after, before Andres Gurrieri also had an effort stopped in its tracks by an outstretched leg.
Scot Bennett hit over on the half-volley following a Tom Nichols layoff, while Reuben Reid dragged one wide as both sides began carving out chances. Curtis Nelson was booked in amongst some free-flowing City play, but against the flow of play, Reuben Reid managed to break and smack the bar. Matt Gill had no complaints when he was cautioned for tackling Argyle’s top-scorer from behind two minutes later.
Just as Exeter had looked like going in at the break on the ascendancy, they were dealt a heavy blow as Danny Coles misjudged a headed clearance and handled the ball, giving referee Robert Madley an easy decision to make in awarding a penalty. Reuben Reid stepped up to tuck away his sixteenth goal of the season, Krysiak guessing the right way but being beaten low to his left. The goalkeeper had one last save to make in the first half as he got down to stop a strong Hourihane drive. 1-0 the half-time score.
Half-time: Plymouth Argyle 1 Exeter City 0
For the complete report visit http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/?matchid=363...
