Exeter City are through to the knockout stage of the Vertu Trophy after a battling 1-0 win over Newport County at Rodney Parade.
In difficult weather conditions it was a stunning goal from Ed Turns that separated the two sides as City headed back to Devon with the three points.
Manager Gary Caldwell made seven changes from the side that drew with Wigan Athletic on Saturday. Jack Bycroft, Ed Francis, Jack Aitchison, Tom Dean, Liam Oakes, Johnly Yfeko and Luca Woodhouse came into the starting XI, with Ed Turns taking the Captains armband.
First half:
Ed Francis got the game underway at a wet and blustery Rodney Parade, with conditions making life difficult for both sides.
The hosts registered the first effort on target in the eighth minute when Bobby Kamwa collected the ball out wide, cut inside, and fired a low drive towards goal. Jack Bycroft was alert, comfortably gathering in the City net.
City responded midway through the first half. After Ilmari Niskanen’s cross was deflected to the edge of the area, Luca Woodhouse met it sweetly on the half-volley from 25 yards, but his strike was straight at Tzanev in the Newport goal.
Just after the half-hour mark, City built another promising attack down the left. Niskanen found Ed Francis in space inside the box, and his shot took a deflection on its way wide. From the resulting corner, Newport defended well, though City appealed for a penalty after Johnly Yfeko appeared to be pulled down but the referee waved away the appeals.
In a half of few clear chances, the swirling weather nearly caught out Tzanev when Oakes’ in swinging corner was carried goalward by the wind, forcing the Newport ‘keeper to tip it over the bar. From the next delivery, Woodhouse rose highest but could only head wide.
At the other end, Bycroft produced a stunning save in the 39th minute to deny Kamwa once again. The winger cut inside from the right and unleashed a curling strike destined for the far corner, but Bycroft dived full stretch to tip it wide in outstanding fashion.
As half-time approached, County’s Lloyd tested Bycroft from a tight angle inside the box, but his effort flew over the bar. The sides went into the break goalless after a closely contested first half played out in difficult conditions.
Second half:
Manager Gary Caldwell made two changes at the break, introducing Swinkels and Brierley in place of Yfeko and Oakes.
City started the half brightly, with Niskanen immediately driving at his marker before his cross was deflected behind for a corner. The short routine found Tom Dean on the edge of the box, but his low effort was easily gathered by Tzanev.
Moments later, Wareham pressed high to win back possession in the County half, allowing Aitchison to pick up the loose ball and weave his way into the area. His low strike across goal was well saved by the Newport goalkeeper, and City couldn’t capitalise on the rebound.
The breakthrough came in spectacular fashion in the 50th minute. Newport failed to clear a City corner, and the ball dropped kindly to Ed Turns, who acrobatically sent a bicycle kick into the back of the net from just inside the area! His first goal for the club and one to remember.
Buoyed by the opener, City continued to press forward. Aitchison slipped a neat pass to Niskanen inside the box, who cut onto his right foot but dragged his shot just wide.
Six minutes later, City should have doubled their lead. Niskanen combined neatly with Francis before delivering a low ball into the six-yard box, but an unmarked Wareham blazed over from close range.
It was all City at this stage, and another flowing move saw Dean whip in a superb cross from the right, Aitchison meeting it with a downward header that looked destined for the net only for Tzanev to produce another sharp save down low.
Newport threatened with twenty minutes remaining when Ogunneye broke down the right and delivered a teasing low cross across the face of goal, but no teammate was on hand to turn it in.
As the clock ticked down, City continued to look the more likely side to score again. In the 83rd minute, Brierley found Cole on the edge of the box, and his crisp first-time effort was pushed around the post by Tzanev, who capped an impressive individual display for Newport's No.1.
Despite some pressure from the hosts, City defended well and as the referee blew his whistle City could celebrate a job well done and a place in the knockout stage of the competition.
Up Next:
The Grecians are back on the road on Saturday, travelling to face Leyton Orient at the Betwright Stadium in EFL Sky Bet League One. Click here for tickets.
Match Details:
Exeter City XI: Bycroft (GK), Dean, Turns (C), Woodhouse, Yfeko (Swinkels 46’), Niskanen (Andrew 60’), Oakes (Brierley 46’), McMillan (Cole 60’), Francis, Aitchison, Wareham (McDonald 73’).
Subs not used: Whitworth (GK), Wilson.
Yellow Card:
Goal: Turns 50’
Newport County XI: Tzanev (GK), Evans, Glennon, Brennan, Kamwa (Alexander-Walker 82') , Whitmore, Thomas Jenkins (C), Garner (Reindorf, 58’), Lloyd (Spellman 69’), Ogunneye (Pugh 69’), Braybrooke.
Subs not used: MacDonald (GK), Clarke, Davies.
Yellow Cards: Whitmore ’32, Pugh 76’, Evans 89'
Attendance: 838 (149 Away)