The third Greek Grecian cup was played on tuesday evening at the Samarinion stadium in Batsi, Andros Island, Greece. After 2 years of failing to trouble the scorers a younger Exeter side took to the field hoping for a reversal of fortune. However, their preparations were hampered by some injuries and absences to key players meaning the defence especially was going to be tested.
After losing a warm up game 3-1, with Ed Beattie scoring from the peanlty spot it looked as though the tourists would be in for another long evening and soon enough they found themselves 2-0 down. But far from being deflated, and cheered on by their supporters City fought back. Kevin Fitzgerald won a penalty as he ran through one on one following a pinpoint pass from Trevor Arnold. Showing nerves of steel 15 year old Keiran Guppy stepped up to plant the ball confidently past the home keeper and raise spirits.
But, as time ticked on Exeter conceded a third. The score stayed like this until 5 minutes from time when they produced a rousing comeback.
As tiredness became a factor the Exiles passing game began to exploit the open spaces. Jim Shepherd chased a ball towards the corner flag and pulled the ball back to Giles Beattie. He swung in a first time cross where Fitzgerald met it and planted a stunning heder back across the keeper into the far corner. Flashbacks of Rotherham, and Logan, ensued, but unlike Fitzgerald, Logie's wife didn't enter the field of play to plant a big kiss on the City goalscorer!
With their tails up Exeter kept pushing and they were rewarded as guest player Dinos Papachristos rounded the keeper after more good work from Arnold and Fitzgerald. As the final whistle sounded the happy and exhausted sides swapped shirts and presented trophies and medals.
The photo below shows Exeter's man of the match Dave Hill receiving his award from Denise Watts
The squad in full:
Neil Le Milliere, Ed Beattie, Dave Hill, James Moore, Keiran Guppy, Nigel Melia, Jim Shepherd, Trevor Arnold, Giles Beattie, Brian Melia, Kevin Fitzgerald, Ross Watts, Ian Morris, Richard Clark, Ed Amman, Ben Ahrends.
The hospitality as it has been the previous years was superb and once again we would like to thank Dinos and the people of Batsi for their good wishes and friendship and hope to see them in England for a return game sometime soon.
