Luca Woodhouse's late header made it two wins out of two for City under-21 in the Premier League Cup, as they saw off a tough Brentford B side 1-0.
After having to withstand a barrage of Bees chances throughout much of the 90 minutes, the young Grecians built into the game late on and were rewarded when Tom Dean's chipped free-kick was headed home by Woodhouse in front of the Big Bank. Brentford through everything at City late on, but the Grecians held on to their three points to keep this season's 100% Premier League Cup record intact.
Leading the team at SJP, Kevin Nicholson named a side that blended younger players with first teamers looking to supplement their minutes. Ed Francis captained the side from the centre of midfield, while Johnly Yfeko started as he continued his return from injury. Tom Dean returned from a quad issue to start the groupstage match, while David Perkins sat on the bench along with four members of David Oldfield's under-18 squad.
First half
Brentford were first to register a shot on target, as Myles Harris threatened just three minutes in. A heavy touch in City's midfield allowed the forward to gain possession and race forward, however his shot from an angle inside the area was saved by Bycroft.
Akeel Higgins was looking bright down the right, causing his opposing full-back headaches with several good flicks and runs, however both sides struggled to convert possession into chances in the opening 25 minutes.
After a short break due to a Bees injury, the visitors began to dominate the ball more, and came closest to opening the scoring with around 12 minutes to go before half-time. Good play forced City back onto the edge of their penalty box before Harris shot, but it took a deflection off a City defender and bounced just wide.
As the half drew towards it's close it was Brentford who had the momentum, and a great touch by Oliver Shield brought down a cross-field ball perfectly in City's box, but his shot was saved by the legs of Bycroft.
The Grecians had one final chance to put the ball into the box come the end of the half as Francis was wiped out 35 yards out on the left, however it was cleared as both sides went into the interval goalless.
Second half
City made a single change at half-time as Yfeko was brought off in a planned substitution, but the match continued in much of the same vein as Brentford continued to attack City. Harris had the ball in the back of Bycroft's net five minutes into the half with a deft finish across the keeper off the post and in, however he was flagged offside from the through ball.
Chances kept falling to the opposition, and Riley Owen should've done a lot better when the ball was cut back to him inside the penalty area, but his shot cannoned off the top of the away end. Ethan Liadlaw was next to shoot off target as Nicholson looked to his bench to change things up, introducing Jude Horn, but still City couldn't find a foothold with Laidlow again having a go in the 63rd minute, but once again sending an effort wide.
As the Grecians got even younger from the bench though, members of the under-18s combined to forge City's closest chance. Louie Cayless broke down the right and sent a fantastic ball to the back post that was met by Horn, however his sliding effort was saved before Harry Appleton's follow-up was blocked on the line.
That chance burst the game into life and immediately Brentford went down the opposite end and sent a fierce shot angled towards the top corner, but it was blocked by a strong Bycroft in goal.
City were building into the game though, and earnt their reward five minutes from time when Cartwright was fouled down the right flank of the penalty area. Dean chipped a set-piece into the area, and there was Luca Woodhouse on the penalty spot to aim a header into the top corner in front of the Big Bank for 1-0.
Brentford threw everything at the Grecians late on with several set-pieces launched into the box, but they were all well defended by the backline as City held on to all three points.
Up next
In this competition, City next face West Brom away on Wednesday, October 15, with full details to be confirmed!
Exeter City U21: Bycroft, Dean, Cummins, Woodhouse, Yfeko (Cartwright 46'), Oakes, Cayless, Francis (C) (Perkins, 78'), Birch (Bown, 66'), Higgins (Horn, 57'), Wilson (Appleton, 66').
All subs used.
Goal: Woodhouse 85'
Yellow cards: Cummins 74', Cayless 80'
Brentford B: Eyestone, Shield, Stephenson (C), Headman, Arthur, Konak, Donovan, Owen, Harris, Bentt, Laidlaw.
Subs: Rose (GK), Boni, Grey, McKnight, Picotto.
Yellow cards: Donovan 44', Harris 62', Owen 74'
Attendance: 247