Goals from Anthony Scully and Reece Cole secured all three points for Exeter City as they hosted Crewe Alexandra.
A penalty kick from Anthony Scully 20 minutes in saw the Grecians break the deadlock before an impressive defensive display allowed Reece Cole to wrap up the occasion at the death.
Matt Taylor named one change from his side that drew 0-0 away to Colchester United on Saturday, with Sonny Cox awarded a start in place of Josh Gordon. After returning from injury from the bench at the weekend, Reece Cole was
Kick-off
Forced the break the norm and attack the Thatchers Big Bank for the opening 45 minutes, it didn’t take Exeter City long to test the Crewe Alexandra defence. Four minutes in, Anthony Scully occupied a promising area on the left wing before he found Charlie Cummins whose shot from the edge of the box forced Tom Booth into a stop.
The visitors began to show their quality on the tenth minute, with a well won corner kick giving them their first bite at the cherry. The in-swinging cross into the City penalty area briefly bobbled around the edge of the box before it fell to Matus Holicek, however the Slovakian’s attempt was hit well wide of the target.
Two minutes later and with the momentum at the other end of the pitch, Manchester City loanee Lakyle Samuel fed a delightful through-ball forward for George Birch to pick up inside the penalty area. The academy graduate enjoying his breakthrough campaign sent a low ball across the face of goal, however Crewe held firm and cleared the danger.
The attacking threat that had been put on show by Matt Taylor’s side was rewarded on the 20th minute, when Birch once more strode towards goal where a poor challenge from former Grecian Joe White brought him to ground and won City a penalty kick. After netting the winner in the previous home game, Scully stepped forward to take the spot kick and calmly slotted the ball past Booth to open scoring.
Five minutes on, and in a bid to make hay while the sun was shining, Luca Woodhouse played a clever ball forward to Charlie Cummins on the edge of the box once more. The Irishman switched to his right foot before letting fly, though his effort drifted just wide of the far post.
The opening half of the game continued to see the Grecians enjoy the bulk of chances; a driven effort from Birch rattled the outside of the net before Scully tried his shooting boots once more, though his effort likewise was placed narrowly wide. Referee Harry Wager blew his whistle after one additional to send City in for the break one up.
Lee Bell made a brace of changes to his side as they reemerged from the tunnel at St James Park in a bid to get a foothold in the game, with Matt Taylor likewise choosing to alter his team as Jake Doyle Hayes made way for Reece Cole.
The changes to the Railwaymen saw them start the second half of proceedings on the front foot, with the Grecians having to hold firm during various attacks from the visitors.
The hour mark gave City another sight of goal, when a free kick on the halfway line allowed Jack Bycroft to send his ten outfield men forward to threaten the Crewe penalty area. The set piece ball fell all the way to Scully at the back post who would up a powerful shot with his right foot, however his attempt was dragged wide.
Hoping to improve from his earlier effort on goal, Helicek picked up a cross deep inside the City penalty area where he shot at the earliest opportunity. A powerful effort on goal was stopped by Bycroft in fine fashion, before a follow up from Jordan Gibson met the same fate with onlooking the Thatchers Big Bank greatly appreciative for the Grecian shot stopper.
Having come on with little over ten minutes left on the clock, Ethan Sutherland broke quickly following a Crewe free kick and charged towards the opposition goal. The Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee picked out fellow substitute Reece Cole on the edge of the box who dribbled goalwards before shooting, thought his effort went narrowly wide.
A cross from the visitors deep into the City penalty area in injury time afforded the Railwaymen another shot on goal from point-blank range, however Bycroft once more held firm to hold the attempt. A long ball forward in the aftermath found Cole high on the left wing who smartly beat his man to run through on goal where he neatly slotted the ball past Booth to double the Grecians' advantage at the death.
The referees full-time whistle that came moments later brought an end to the affair to secure all three points and cue well earned celebrations in the stands of St James Park.
Up Next
The Grecians are back at St James Park this Saturday against Fleetwood Town in more Sky Bet League Two action. Click the image below for ticket information.
Match Details
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Samuel, Woodhouse, Fitzwater (C), Taylor, Perry (Kite 56'), Cummins, Cox (Harper 79'), Birch (Sutherland 79'), Scully (Gordon 65'), Doyle Hayes (Cole 46')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), James
Exeter City Goalscorers
Scully (20'), Cole (90+3')
Exeter City Yellow Cards
Fitzwater (81')
Crewe Alexandra Starting XI
Booth (GK), Billington (C), Ure (Hutchinson 46'), Offord, March, White (McNeill 46'), Tabiner, Stephenson, Gibson (Thibaut 79'), Holicek, Lunt (Agius 86')
Crewe Alexandra Unused Subs
Lawlor (GK), Dancey, Moore
Crewe Alexandra Yellow Cards
McNeill (56'), Bell (59')
Attendance
5,671 (including 238 away supporters)