Grecians go into play-offs with a victory

Exeter City beat Colchester United 1-0 at St James Park to take the Grecians into the play-offs with some momentum.

Robbie Simpson netted the only goal of the game in the second half as he headed home from Pierce Sweeney's cross in a match where the away side were denied from the penalty spot as Christy Pym made the save from Sammie Szmodics.

Match report sponsored by Speedy Freight

Having already confirmed their place in the end of season play-offs the Grecians made five changes to the side that were beaten by Stevenage last time out. Troy Archibald-Henville, Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Harley, Liam McAlinden and Kyle Edwards all came into the side as competition for places increases going into the semi-finals next week.

In somewhat of a slow start to the match, it took until 13 minutes for City to create their first opening. And it came when McAlinden pounced on a defensive mis-kick to loft the ball over Dillon Barnes in the United goal before he opted to cross for Robbie Simpson instead of shooting, but the City number 8 was unable to get a head to it

Moments later Ryan Harley went close after good hold-up play from McAlinden, who teed up the City number 7, before his curling shot was palmed away by Barnes.

The visitors’ first and only real attempt of the half came just before the 20-minute mark when Ryan Gondoh cut inside from the right before miscuing his low shot which left Christy Pym untested.

City had the ball in the net on 40 minutes when Simpson headed in from Pierce Sweeney’s right-hand cross, but the referee adjudged the City forward to have fouled in the build-up play as he wrestled to win the ball meaning the sides would go in at the break level.

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