Hornets claim win at the Cat & Fiddle
The Grecians’ under-18 contingent was defeated by a 3-1 scoreline last weekend at the Cat & Fiddle in their Youth Alliance South Merit League 1 fixture against Watford.The Hornets, who had finished fifth in the Youth Alliance South East division before Christmas to qualify for the Merit League 1, took the lead in the early stages. Ashley Charles received the ball in the box from a throw-in for the visitors, and some neat feet allowed him to dribble across the face of the Grecians’ defence who were cautious over the danger of clipping a heel. Eventually he got a shot away and found the inside of the side-netting for a lead.
Charlie Madden, getting forward from defence, came close to equalising in fortuitous fashion as his cross from the right hit the outside of the near post and bounced behind.
But there was nothing lucky about the leveller when it came. Forward Cameron Gill lined up a free-kick 20 yards from goal, and bent an effort over the wall and down under the bar to get the Grecians back on terms.
Gill might have had a second when an Alex Byrne free-kick from the right didn’t quite fall into the path of the striker after goalkeeper Nathan Gartside had palmed away desperately.
Instead Watford again took the lead shortly before the break – a ball hooked forward from the left-back position was met by the head of Grecians defender Josh Read but Michael Fovili stole in on the loose ball and placed past the advancing goalkeeper.
Joe Charles’ pace down the right almost set up a good opportunity after half-time for Dean Billingsley, but his effort was ultimately blocked from an acute angle. Similarly Toby Down had to be alert to block at the other end to keep Exeter within a goal.
However the game was wrapped up in the final ten minutes – City’s defence had survived a flurry of attempts after the ball was launched into the box from a wide free-kick on the right, but eventually the ball landed at the feet of David Sesay in space six yards from goal, who smashed down the middle for the Hornets’ third.
A terrific passing breakaway move almost allowed Exeter to claw one back late on, but the Gartside smothered quickly after Gill had nutmegged his defender in the area.