Two quick second-half goals from Mizouni and Bakinson sealed a defeat that will leave a bitter taste in the mouths of the travelling Grecians in the capital.
City went into the meeting with the east London club in fine form having avoided defeat in the last 5 in all competitions, with the hosts coming into this one having lost two of their last five.
Manager Gary Caldwell was forced into one change from the draw with Wigan, Aitchison came into the starting eleven for Akeel Higgins who dropping to the bench following a knock in previous week’s Wigan draw.
First half:
City got the game underway cheered by a large and noise away support, with the opening stages of the game where a cagey affair with neither side creating any clear-cut chances.
Wareham thought he had a golden opportunity to opening the scoring but adjudged to have been offside by the assistant referee. On the stroke of 12 minutes Reece Cole was brought down on the edge of the Orient penalty area, sadly City couldn’t take the opportunity and Orient’s wall did their job.
On the 20th minute the game sparked into life, Orient fans believing Ed Turns handled the ball in the penalty area, cries for a penalty however fell on deaf ears and the ref waved away their protests, giving a free kick to City.
The half hour mark saw the hosts get their first clear cut chance on goal when a low cross into the box was met by a man in red, but his shot was from point blank range was blocked by Sweeney and the ball sailed well over the bar and away from danger.
On the 38th minute City finally found the breakthrough; Reece Cole was brought down in the Orient penalty area and up stepped Jayden Wareham to cooly slot the ball in from the spot. City would lead at the break after a tense and even first half.
Second Half
The opening of the second half saw City brace themselves for the inevitable onslaught from the home side, the City backline dealt with everything the East London side could throw at them.
Former City star Demetri Mitchell always looked a threat down the right flank, but his search for crosses into the city box were never taken advantage of by the Orient attacking options on the pitch.
On the 66th minute Wellens rolled the dice and made a double substation, Craig and Connolly making way for Abdulai and O’Neill, the tactical change by the home side saw Gary Caldwell make his first subs of the game, with Aitchison and Sweeney making way for Higgins and Yfeko on the 70th minute mark.
The changes almost paid off with Reece Cole playing a dangerous low cross into the box that was inches away from being turned in for City second. With City continuing to look dangerous going forward, Reece Cole again found himself in a fantastic position having beaten the offside trap, but his header was palmed onto the post by Cahillbefore denying Niskanen from the follow up.
The breakthrough for the home side came in the 76th minutes as a cruel deflection by City Keeper, Joe Whitworth,fell into the path of Mizouni who slotted the ball into the empty net. The home side in growing in confidence found the net again from a Tyreeq Bakinson first time shot that was guided into the corner of the net, with Joe Whitworth in the City goal helpless to do anything.
Kieran Wilson came on in the dying embers of the game, as City pressed forward looking to deservedly get something from the game. A long ball towards Jayden Wareham inside the box agonisingly wouldn’t fall for the City target man, maintaining the defecit.
As the game entered the second of an additional 5 minutes, Niskanen found himself with the freedom of East London on the left of the Orient box, but his dangerous low cross towards Reece Cole was well cleared by an Orient defender. That would be the last clear-cut chance for City as they leave the capital empty handed.
Up Next
Next up city face Burton Albion at St James Park in a lunch time kick when the reds will be looking to bounce back. Tickets are on sale now, and more information can be found here!
Match Details:
Exeter City XI: Whitworth (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney (C) (Yfeko 70'), Fitzwater, Turns, Andrew, Brierley (Wilsonj 88'), McMillian, Aitchison (Higgins 70'), Cole, Wareham
Subs not used: Bycroft (GK), Woodhouse, McDonald, Dean.
Yellow Card: Sweeney 16', Brierley 46'
Goal: Wareham 38'.
Layton Orient XI: Cahill (GK), Adaramola (Koroma 74'), Simpson, Happe, El Mizouni, Connolly (O'Neill 68'), Mitchell, Craig (Abdulai 67'), Wellens, Clare (Bakinson 68'), Ballard (Lloyd 79')
Subs not used: Phillips (GK), Beckles.
Yellow Cards: Clare 43'
Goals: El Mizouni 76', Bakinson 81'.
Attendance: 8,519