Fabrizio Cavegn’s goal was the difference at The Memorial Stadium as Exeter City fell to a 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers.
The Grecians made the short journey North to the Memorial Stadium to face Bristol Rovers in a return to Sky Bet League Two action following a midweek draw with Cheltenham Town in the Jersey Mike's Trophy.
In the midst of an international break too, Matt Taylor handed Jack Taylor his full league debut in place of Ed James, while Ethan Sutherland appeared on the left side in place of Vincent Harper.
First Half
In a fast-paced start to the West Country encounter, City’s backline had to be sharp from the off as Bristol Rovers started the brighter. From clearing the danger from wide crosses to putting their bodies on the line, Matt Taylor’s side were being tested from the first whistle and stood firm.
The Gas were going for a record number of consecutive wins at their home ground, The Memorial Stadium, and have started the season superbly. The first presentable chance of the afternoon fell to Ethan Sutherland who beat the offside trap, put on the afterburners but his shot from an acute angle was saved by Brad Young.
Moments later, the Wolves loanee cut inside his marker with a cute drop of the shoulder and drifted in a wide cross-come-shot which agonisingly wondered wide of the Rover’s goal. Shaq Forde then stung the palms of Jack Bycroft in the Exeter goal as his shot from across his body was dealt with well by the shot stopper.
In a back-and-forth game, it was then the Grecian’s turn to try their luck; Gwion Edwards lost his marker to meet Reece Cole’s pinpoint corner; however his header was scrambled away by Bristol Rovers. Cavegn then spurned a glorious opportunity after his low drive bobbled into the turf and trickled into the hands of Bycroft.
After some silky trickery from Forde, he hammered in a low cross which Bycroft had to react to with quick reflexes and did so with real purpose with a strong hand. Charlie Cummins, who scored his first professional goal in the week against Cheltenham Town, tried his luck from range but didn’t have the same result as Young gathered comfortably.
The hosts found it hard to break down City’s stubborn defence as the Gas’ captain Alfie Kilgour and Forde had efforts which blazed over the crossbar. Edwards received a yellow card for an alleged dive on the edge of Rover’s penalty area – members of each coaching staff received a booking apiece too.
In an entertaining first half, with chances for both sides, the only aspect of the game which was missing was goals.
Second Half
Sutherland whipped in a dangerous low free kick from out wide, which fizzed behind the blue and white shirts, but ultimately ended up in the goalkeeper’s gloves. Ellis Harrison lunged over the ball and thumped into Jake Doyle Harris, with his studs showing, which warranted the home side’s first caution.
Lakyle Samuel played a neat one-two with Edwards, drove wide and then picked out Cole on the edge of the who curled his effort, but it slammed into a Rovers defender. Cavegn opened the scoring with an acrobatic over-head kick from six yards out as City looked the more likely to get their noses in front.
Former Grecian Jack Sparkes then thundered the post with a powerful shot as momentum had completely swung in favour of the home team. Birch’s first involvement was a positive one as he waltzed his way past several defenders before crossing as Danny Rose took a tumble in the penalty area.
Cole then met a bouncing ball but his cross to Andrew Oluwabori was nicked off the attacker’s boot in a flash to stop a great chance for the Grecians. Substitute Reiss Russell Dennny and Kofi Balmer went close within the same minute as the Gas looked to double their lead in the closing stages.
Bycroft made a stunning save in additional time from substitute Bobby Kamwa as he stood tall and clawed the ball away from danger to give Exeter late hope, however the referees whistle came soon after and brought an end to the affair.
Match Details
Bristol Rovers Starting XI
Young (GK), James, Sparkes (Purrington 90’), Balmer, Kilgour ©, Mola, Forde (Russell-Denny 65’), Kelly, Harrison (Quigley 80’), Smallwood, Cavegn (Kamwa 90’)
Bristol Rovers Unused Subs
Binns (GK), Sanyaolu
Bristol Rovers Goalscorers
Cavegn (66')
Bristol Rovers Yellow Cards
Harrison (60’)
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Samuel, Woodhouse, Fitzwater ©, Taylor (Oluwabori 68’), Edwards (Birch 77’), Cole, Cummins, Sutherland, Doyle Hayes (Gordon 86’), Rose
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), Perry, , Kite, Oakes,
Exeter City Yellow Cards
Edwards (39')
Attendance
11,106