A stunning strike from Lakyle Samuel was enough for Exeter City to secure all three points against Cheltenham Town in Sky Bet League Two.
In the second phase of international call ups for the 2026/27 season, Exeter City hosted Cheltenham Town in League Two without Charlie Cummins, Vincent Harper and Ethan Sutherland available for selection. Jake Doyle Hayes was reintroduced to the starting eleven alongside Anthony Scully, with Ed Turns on the bench in the league for the first time since February's visit to Peterborough United.
Having departed the club at the end of the 2025/26 season to end a 10-year stay at St James Park, former captain Pierce Sweeney arrived in EX4 for the first time as an away player after his move to the Robins ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Kick-off
After James Wilson had won the coin toss and opted for his Cheltenham Town side to switch ends at kick-off, Exeter City bizarrely found themselves attacking the Thatchers Big Bank in the first half. In his return to the starting lineup, Jake Doyle Hayes slid a ball forward for Anthony Scully, though his fellow Irishman took one too many touches and was met by Wyll Stanway who leapt off his line to claim the ball.
Cheltenham responded just shy of the 20-minute mark when Shaun McWilliams came close. After combining with Andreas Weimann inside the City penalty area, the midfielder was afforded a shooting chance from close range, however his effort struck the crossbar and went behind for a goal kick.
The visitors won a throw in 25-yards from goal soon afterwards and the ball was fed to Kirsten Otchere on the edge of the City penalty area. With options around him, the Cheltenham forward opted to go and alone and curled an effort towards goal, though it was hit high and wide of the woodwork.
In a bid to threaten the Robins, Doyle Hayes cushioned a header down to Reece Cole on the edge of the box. City's number 12 took aim and let fly towards the far post, however his effort flew narrowly wide of the target and into the Big Bank.
Having impressed in his breakthrough campaign, George Birch was offered a shooting opportunity from a similar part of the pitch with five minutes left until the break. The City Academy graduate cut in and shot with his left foot, however his attempt met the same fate of Cole's and went inches wide.
With clear cut chances few and far between, that would be that for the first half of football at the Park.
With just fives minutes played, Lakyle Samuel wasted no time in getting the second half of play underway. The Manchester City loanee won the ball high on the right before cutting onto his left and launching the ball into the box. Deliberate or not, the lofted ball flew past Stanway and into the far corner of the goal to open scoring for the Grecians.
Having withstood a brief attack from the Robins, City quickly charged towards goal once more on the counter attack. Birch received the ball and shot from the edge of the box, thought his attempt took a deflection on the way through to push it around the post.
On the search for a leveller, the visitors put heavy pressure on the City penalty area after this strong start by Matt Taylor's team. Jonathan Tomkinson hit a powerful shot from the 18-yard line that Bycroft punched away towards Otchere, fortunately though the Grecian back line won the race for the ball and cleared upfield.
With 25 minutes left on the clock, the Grecians came close from a corner kick. Cheltenham cleared the ball initially, yet it only fell as far as Harry Kite on the edge of the penalty area. The academy graduate took aim and shot to the back post, however his attempt dropped wide of the woodwork.
A barrage of chances from Steve Cotterill's side saw the Grecians tested in the dying moments of the half, however after three minutes of stoppage time, Andrew Humphries' whistle brought an end to the occasion that saw Matt Taylor's side pick up yet another win on home turf.
Up Next
The Grecians are next in league action on Saturday 21st November in a visit to Oldham Athletic. For ticket information, click on the image below.
Match Details
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Samuel, Woodhouse, Fitzwater (C), Taylor, Cole (Oakes 85'), Kite, Cox (Gordon 68'), Birch, Scully (James 85'), Doyle Hayes (Perry 61')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), Turns, Rose
Exeter City Goalscorers
Samuel (51')
Cheltenham Town Starting XI
Stanway (GK), Tomkinson, Wilson (C), Stevenson, McCann, Otchere (Nurse 81'), Broom (Bickerstaff 61'), McWilliams, Weimann (Miller 61'), Sweeney, Shipley (Cundy 87')
Cheltenham Town Unused Subs
Day (GK), Onukwuli, Willcox
Cheltenham Town Yellow Cards
Wilson (41'), Otchere (45')
Match Officials
Ref: Andrew Humphries, AR1: Mark Dwyer, AR2: Kevin Howick, 4th: Andy Bennett
Attendance
6,197 (including 405 away supporters)