City returned to Vertu Trophy action at SJP as Arsenal U21’s made the trip to the EX4 in the second group game for the Grecians.
Following on from Thursday night’s dominant performance against Plymouth Argyle, Gary Caldwell named nine changes in the starting XI for this, the club’s second game in the Vertu Trophy.
Notably, Jack Bycroft returned between the sticks following his impressive performance away at West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League Cup, as well as Sil Swinkels making his first appearance since the trip to Wycombe Wanderers in August and Jack Aitchison starting for the first time since September.
First Half:
The third minute saw Ilmari Niskanen at the heart of City’s first attack of the game, with the Fin crossing a ball into the area, calling Setford into action to come off his line and tip the ball away from danger.
A response from the visitors came when Agustien forced a corner for the Gunners in the seventh minute, however the Grecians were able to clear the ball and counter effectively, setting up Wilson inside the box whose shot was stopped by Setford.
An attack in the 16th minute from Arsenal saw Charles Sagoe work hard to dribble through the City defence and into a shooting position, before breaking the deadlock and putting the visitors ahead.
A more patient approach from City as the game approached the 30-minute mark resulted in a flurry of chances. After a scramble in the box from Arsenal to clear the ball, Jack Aitchison worked his way into a position to shoot from the edge of the box, with Setford once again called into action to keep his side’s advantage.
Another chance for City arose in the 42nd minute, with a free kick into the box from Francis meeting the head of Swinkels, who’s shot flew just over the bar. Minutes later a shot from Oakes from the edge of the box would force a corner late in the half, however amounting to nothing and sending the Grecians into the break trailing.
Second Half:
After neither team making a change during the break, the opening phases of the second half saw Arsenal looking to make it two, with Agustien meeting a cross from Washington before poking the ball wide of the post. Minutes later, City would find a route back into the game, as Magennis worked hard to close down Setford and rob the ball, before rolling it into the back of the empty net.
Magennis’s leveller did not dampen the spirits of the visitors however, in the wake of an impressive stop from Bycroft, Dudziak fired home a stunning goal from the edge of the area to put the Gunner ahead once more.
As the game went past the hour mark, Francis fed a precise ball through the Arsenal back line through to Aitchison who fired home from close range to level the game up once again and score his first goal of the season for the Grecians.
Following a series of substitutes from both teams, a failed pass from Luca Woodhouse would provide the Gunner with another chance to go ahead, with a cross into Kamara being driven low into the corner and putting the visitors ahead once again.
Moments later, it would become clear that this game was destined to be a complete goal fest. Jayden Wareham worked hard to produce a shot at goal, initially saved, with the rebound falling kindly at the feet of Magennis who was able to level the game again.
Having been chasing the game for 87 minutes, an Ed Francis corner was swung in towards the head of Woodhouse, heading it down and finding Wareham who was able to put the ball into the back of the net and give the Grecians the lead for the first time in the game.
With nine minutes added on, Josh Magennis was given the chance to secure the hat-trick with a free just outside the area, however it was placed just wide of the post much to the delight of Setford who didn’t look close to the ball at all. That would go on to be the last of the action, securing the Grecians first win in the tournament and setting up a winner-takes-all scenario when the team travel to Newport County on the 11th November to battle it out for a place in the knockout round.
Up Next:
City travel to Halifax Town on Saturday in the first round of the Emirates FA Cup, with Gary Caldwell's team looking to make it three wins on the bounce in all competitions. A first meeting between the two teams since 2007, Saturday certainly provides an ideal platform to build momentum leading into November.
Exeter City XI:
Bycroft (GK), Dean (McDonald 70’), Sweeney, Swinkels (Turns 55’), Woodhouse, Niskanen (Andrew 55’), Aitchison (Birch 70’), Francis, Oakes, Wilson (Wareham 70’), Magennis
Exeter City Unused Subs:
Whitworth (GK), Cummins
Arsenal U21 XI:
Setford (GK), Nichols (Hamill 72’), Clarke, Sweet, Washington (Ogunnaike 72’), Ibrahim (Murisa 77’), Duziak, Agustien, Kamara (Ferdinand), Sagoe, O’Neill
Arsenal U21 Unused Subs:
Ranson, Julienne, Murisa, Stevens, Ferdinand
Attendance:
3606, including 739 away supporters.