Match Reports

Match Report: Shrewsbury Town 0 Exeter City 1

10th October

Exeter City picked up their first away win since January 24 with a 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town at the Croud Meadow Stadium.

In a tight affair, one of our own Sonny Cox's late strike and some fantastic defending by the Grecians earned City's first points on the road this season, and made it back-to-back wins!

Manager Matt Taylor named an unchanged starting XI from the side that picked up a 1-0 win over Rotherham United last time out in EFL Sky Bet League One. On the bench, Ed James and Vinnie Harper returned to the squad after being away on international duty.

First Half

September’s Player of the Month, Charlie Cummins kicked us off at windy Croud Meadow, as City hunted a first away win since the end of January.

It took a few minutes for both teams to adjust to the blustery conditions. The first half chance coming in the opening ten minutes as McMahon-Brown slid a ball inside towards Berkoe, but City’s captain Fitzwater showed great positioning to put off the Shrewsbury forward and earn City a goal kick.

City looked to hit Salop on the counter after a combination between Samuel and Perry saw Samuel slide a ball through to Scully. City’s No.25 drove forward before sending a low ball into the box that was just ahead of Gordon.

Minutes later Scully again looked dangerous down City’s right as he flashed a ball across the face of goal which found Birch wide on the left, he sent a lofted ball back into the penalty area which Salop keeper Brook was quickly off his line to claim.

A clever free kick which was flicked on by Fletcher, found Lloyd, who shot on the turn and found the bottom corner, but thankfully for the Grecians the linesman put his flag up straight away with the Shrewsbury forward a couple yards offside.

With 35 minutes on the clock a long ball into the City area caused a bit of panic and the ball found Salop No.3 Ruffels, who sent a rasping shot from a tight angle was tipped over the bar athletically by Bycroft.

A sloppy bit of passing in the midfield saw Shrewsbury nick possession and fly forward, a cross from Fletcher was headed towards goal by Lloyd but Samuel flung himself at the ball and got a deflection on the header to send it wide – fantastic last ditch defending!

That was the last of the action of an entertaining half, which had few chances for either side.

Second Half

The hosts started the second-half the brightest and asked a few questions of the Grecians defence.

Two minutes into the second half and Bycroft pulled off a remarkable save from point blank range. A long through was hurled into City’s box and knocked on for Fletcher who looked destined to score from a yard out, but City’s No.1 showed remarkable speed to get down and block the shot!

The Salop chance kicked City back into life and they were straight down the other end and a toenail away from taking the lead. Great work down the right saw Scully feed Samuel who sent a low ball into the box in front of Gordon, and it looked like Birch was about to put City ahead, but fantastic defending stopped City in their tracks!

Luca Woodhouse flew forward and dropped a should er and crosses towards Gordon, earning City an early corner. The set-piece was well defended but City recycle the ball as Doyle Hayes sends in a perfect cross which Cummins met with a diving header, sadly for City the ball sailed just a whisker wide of the goal with Gregory beaten in the Shrewsbury goal.

With an hour on the clock, Fitzwater earned City a corner, which was sent in towards the near post by Samuel. Gordon attacked the ball but could only send his header well wide of goal.

With 77 minutes on the clock it looked like Shrewsbury were going to take the lead. A low cross went all the way to Jude-Boyd who sent a shot against the post to City’s relief!

Minutes later the Grecians should have been ahead. Bycroft sent Sutherland away and he raced forward before sending a lovely low cross towards Gordon, but City’s No.10 couldn’t get a strong enough connection on the ball.

In a game of few chances, City took their best one when it came. City hit Shrewsbury with a quick counter. Sutherland found Birch who quickly played Cox in over the top and One of our Own raced through before calmly firing home from just outside the box to spark wild scenes in the away end!

The hosts tried to peg the Grecians back and a late corner with just two minutes on the clock was well defended by Doyle Hayes as everyone in red and white put their bodies on the line to defend the lead.

In the 96th minute of the match, Shrewbury won a final corner which was well defended by the Grecians and City picked up their first away win since January 24! GET IN!

Up Next

The Grecians are back on the road next Saturday, heading to the JobServe Community Stadium to face Colchester United in a 3pm kick-off in EFL Sky Bet League Two. Click here for tickets.