Exeter City began their 2026/27 EFL Trophy group stage campaign with a comfortable win over Tottenham Hotspur U21 at St James Park.
The Grecians returned to home soil for the third time in eight days looking to continue their home unbeaten run as they got underway in the 2026/27 EFL Trophy. Given the nature of the competition Matt Taylor named ten changes to his side that shared the points with Walsall on Saturday.
Frankie Phillips began between the sticks to mark his senior debut for the Grecians, with deadline day signings Jack Taylor, Ajay Matthews & Danny Rose all given the nod after a brief cameo at the weekend. Tottenham Hotspur U21 made the journey South-West looking to pick up only their sixth victory in this tournament since their involvement began.
First Half
Seconds into first half, and Tottenham began with the high press that Exeter City assistant manager Dan Green had expected. Marking his senior debut between the sticks of the City goal, Frankie Phillips witnessed this press first-hand when he just won the race to clear a ball from the quickly approaching Tyrese Hall.
A quarter of an hour in and with both teams yet to create any clearcut opportunities, Alfie Dorrington picked up the ball up in a deep position and drove forward. Choosing to go alone, the Spurs youngster shot goalwards and saw his effort drift just wide of the post.
This threat from the visitors ignited a fire in the belly of the Grecians though. Ethan Sutherland picked the ball up on the left flank before a cross to George Birch inside the penalty area saw a wide effort. A corner quickly after allowed the ball to bobble around the area before Jack Taylor’s follow-up attempt was pointed wide.
With 25 minutes on the clock, City were still very much in the driving seat. Birch cleverly plucked the ball from the Tottenham defenders 30 yards out and drove goalwards, getting a shot off and forcing Knightridge into a stop. The subsequent corner found 6’4” Taylor in the box once more, yet his headed effort was misplaced.
City’s growing confidence inevitably found a breakthrough ten minutes later after a mistake at the back from the visitors. Taylor Perry was gifted the ball and found Danny Rose who smartly twisted before firing his effort into the bottom left of the goal to open scoring and open his account in red & white.
A brief resurgence from Colin Burnett’s side in the dying moments of the first half wasn’t enough to threaten the Grecians though, who went down the tunnel in a deserved lead.
Second Half
City came back down the tunnel top begin their second half with a change as Danny Rose was taken off after marking his full debut with a goal, replaced by Josh Gordon.
After a flurry of corners in the opening 45, the Grecians had another opportunity from the corner flag ten minutes in. Birch's well-placed ball forced Knightridge in the Spurs goal to punch the ball away, yet it only found Sutherland on the edge of the area who crossed in once more. Despite Gordon racing to meet the ball, Knightridge was quick off his line again and won the race.
First half substitute Sonny Cox will have felt frustrated on the hour mark when he looked to be in some discomfort following a challenge. Not wanting to take any risks, Matt Taylor introdued Manchester City loanee Lakyle Samuel in his place for the remaining 30 minutes.
After coming on as a substitute for the visitors, Miracle Adewole drove down the left hand side and beat Lakyle Samuel in a race to the goal line. The Spurs youngster crossed goalwards and picked out Reiss Elliott-Parris at the back post, though his effort was skied and only threatened the parked cars on St James Road.
With just five minutes left on the clock the game was wrapped up. After Gordon skilfully won a free kick in a dangerous position, Birch's set piece to the back post pinballed around the penalty area for a brief moment before finding academy graduate Louie Cayless; the 17-year old shot from a tight angle and netted his first professional goal for the Grecians to wrap up the affair.
Another late rally from the visiting North London outfit proved to be too little too late, and City saw out a 2-0 win to get up and running in the 2026/27 EFL Trophy.
Up Next
Exeter City are back on the road on Saturday afternoon when they travel to Port Vale in a return to Sky Bet League Two action. Click the image below for all ticket information.
Match Details
Exeter City Starting XI
Phillips (GK), Woodhouse (Alsop 74'), Taylor, Perry, Matthews (Cox 27’, Samuel 62'), Oakes, Birch, Sutherland, Harper (Cartwright 74'), Rose © (Gordon 46’), Cayless
Exeter City Unused Subs
Bycroft (GK), Williams
Exeter City Goalscorers
Rose (35’), Cayless (86')
Exeter City Yellow Cards
Rose (37’), Cayless (52'), Oakes (73')
Tottenham Hotspur U21 Starting XI
Knightridge (GK), Dorrington, Hall, Lehane (Adewole 62'), Hardy (Sowunmi 83'), Feeney (Best 62'), Elliott-Parris (Adedeji 83'), King, Rowswell ©, Byrne, Hall (Moncur 74')
Tottenham Hotspur U21 Unused Subs
Archer (GK)
Tottenham Hotspur U21 Yellow Cards
Byrne (43’), Adedeji (86')
Match Officials
Ref: Alan Young, AR1: Joseph Larkin, AR2: Scott Chalkey, 4th: Kevin Howick
Attendance
1,647 (including 163 away supporters)