City 2 Port Vale 0

The Grecians take all three points at St James Park! Nicky Law’s early penalty and Hiram Boateng’s spectacular volley ensured Exeter City returned to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two.

Law converted a second-minute penalty kick before Boateng gave goalkeeper Scott Brown no chance with a jaw-dropping volley as City bounced back from their loss at Macclesfield in fine fashio

Matt Taylor made four changes to his starting line-up as Dara O’Shea, Law, Lee Holmes and Christy Pym, who served his one-match suspension, returned to the side that suffered defeat on the road at Macclesfield last time out.

There was barely 60 seconds on the clock as Ryan Bowman was fouled in the penalty area, after being held by Kyle Howkins, and Law stepped up to calmly slot the resulting penalty into the bottom right corner of Port Vale’s net.

The Grecians then proceeded to dominate the early stages after Jake Taylor had a header tipped around the post by the outstretched hand of Scott Brown after smart work from Boateng and Law with a short free-kick on the edge of the penalty area. Just a minute later Brown was forced to tip Lee Holmes’ cross over the bar.

Boateng, who was playing in a more advanced role closer to Bowman, then drove at goal and shot low, again forcing Brown into another save. Then, Taylor was fouled mid-way inside the Valiants’ half, allowing Law to send in a free-kick which reached Craig Woodman, whose half-volley was blocked before Taylor shot straight at Brown.

Vale had their first notable chance in the 29th minute as Tom Conlon’s whipped free-kick on the edge of the Grecians’ area had to be palmed away by Christy Pym.

Three minutes before half-time Nathan Smith had to clear Troy Brown’s looping header off the line after Nicky Law’s deep corner found the centre-back at the back post.

For the complete match report, click HERE