Match Reports

Match Report: Exeter City 1 Burton Albion 1

3rd March

Exeter City and Burton Albion couldn't be split after Josh Magennis' strike cancelled out Udoka Godwin-Malife's opener on Matt Taylor's return.

With a buzz around St James Park in the news of the former manager's return until the end of the season, Timur Tutierov, Liam Oakes and Carlos Mendes Gomes were reintroduced to the starting eleven as the Grecians hosted Burton Albion.

First Half

Burton Albion were gifted a corner in the opening seconds when Luca Woodhouse’ misplaced header fell wide of Jack McMillan allowing Kyran Lofthouse to send a wild ball into the City penalty area, with Pierce Sweeney opting to put it behind for a corner. While the resultant corner failed to directly threat the Grecians, a follow up shot was placed just wide of Joe Whitworth’s far post – a brisk start from the visitors.

Jayden Wareham worked hard to hold the ball up effectively as City pressured the opposition penalty area, setting a up a clever 1-2 with Jack Aitchison whose timed ball fell back to the feet of Wareham. The striker was unable to cleanly connect with the ball however as his bobbling effort was half-cleared by the visitors to Carlos Mendes Gomes, his effort likewise cleared from danger.

With the Grecians growing into the game, Woodhouse was the first to test Bradley Collins in the Albion following a City corner. Ethan Brierley’s set piece found the head of the young defender whose effort forced the Brewers’ goalkeeper into a quick stop in front of the onlooking away supporters.

With little over ten minutes to go until the break, City once more earnt a corner in front of the away end. Another fine ball into the box was met by Sweeney this time, heading across to Woodhouse who poked it in at the far post. A raised flag from the linesman for offside however soon quelled the celebrations amongst the stands of St James Park.

Timur Tutierov, having to contend with an arm gripping his shirt that the officials had turned a blind eye to, worked well to link up with Liam Oakes on the left wing allowing the Ukrainian to run free and square to McMillan in the area. Collins was quick off his line though, the Albion goalkeeper just getting enough on the cross to stop the threat.

Tutierov again ran free minutes later as he charged down on the Brewers’ penalty area, his effort towards the far post cruelly deflected off the upright though and fell to Mendes Gomes arriving on the scene, his effort drilled wide.

After just one minute added on, the referee called an end to a first half that saw City start slowly but go on to enjoy the majority of chances.

Second Half

City began the second half in much the same spirit as that of the first, Aitchison sent a perfectly timed through ball to Mendes Gomes whose first time effort forced Collins into a fine save at his near post.

The Grecians had the ball in the back of the net yet again moments later when Sunderland loanee Tutierov fired home from close range, to the annoyance of the onlooking Big Bank however the linesman's flag rose again to keep the game level.

Mendes Gomes continued to make a nuisance of himself as the half wore on, first sliding a ball wide to Niskanen whose cross found Wareham at the near post only for a Burton man to clear. City's number seven then won the ball again in midfield, and to cries from the Big Bank attempted an ambitious shot from 30-yards out that was drilled just wide.

The first goal of the encounter, that stood at least, was certainly a fine one. Udoka Godwin-Malife received the ball 30-yards out as City struggled to control a brief attack from the visitors, this allowed the Albion skipper time to wind up a powerful shot that almost broke the back of the Grecian's net and gave the Brewers the lead.

City finally got their deserved goal when Wareham turned his man on the right before he sent a fine ball across goal where newly introduced Josh Magennis arrived at the near post. The Northern Irishman's powerful header found the back of the net with little over fifteen minutes to go, restoring the stalemate and shifting the momentum in the hosts' favour.

With four minute added at the conclusion of the 90, Magennis went looking for his brace. City had passed the ball around the Burton area for an extended period of time before Niskanen eventually crossed to the far post, this time the striker's header was just misplaced however.

Despite the Grecians enjoying the vast majority of play in the closing minutes, the visitors stood firm to see out a draw under the floodlit fields of St James Park.

Up Next

Matt Taylor’s side are on the road this Saturday as they travel to Oakwell to face Barnsley. Tickets are still on sale, with more information available here.

Match Details

Exeter City XI

Whitworth (GK), McMillan, Brierley, Mendes Gomes (Higgins 60'), Wareham, Aitchison, Niskanen, Woodhouse, Sweeney ©, Tutierov (McDonald 82'), Oakes (Magennis 71')

Exeter City Unused Subs

Bycroft (GK), Cox, Dean, Cummins

Exeter City Goalscorers

Magennis (73')

Exeter City Yellow Cards

Wareham (42’)

Burton Albion XI

Collins (GK), Godwin-Malife ©, Chauke, Sibbick, Beesley, Shade, Evans, Lofthouse, Hartridge, Moon, Krubally (McKiernan 69')

Burton Albion Unused Subs

Dudek (GK), Tavares, Sraha, Larsson, Matthews-Lewis, Adom

Burton Albion Goalscorers

Godwin-Malife (63')