Exeter City's youthful side fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat to Torquay United at Plainmoor in pre-season.
First-half goals from Deon Moore from the spot, and striker Isaac Westendorf gave the hosts a 2-0 lead before Kieran Wilson halved the deficit just before the break. City created a few good chances in the second half, and were debited to a fantastic display in goal from Frankie Phillips, but were unable to find a leveller.
With City hosting Championship side Bristol City on Saturday, manager Matt Taylor named a youthful squad to take on their National League South opponents. The Grecians most experienced player and summer signing Josh Gordon was named as captain for the match whilst the Academy-powered Grecians named a bench full of academy players.
First Half
Torquay United made the brighter start on a warm evening in South Devon, although the opening 10 minutes passed with few chances for either side.
City's first opportunity to threaten came when Pedro Elawar showed good persistence down the right to win the first corner of the match. George Williams delivered the set-piece into the area, but the hosts dealt with it comfortably.
Moments later, Frankie Phillips was called into action for the first time. Deon Moore picked out Matt Worthington in space on the edge of the area, and the Torquay midfielder struck a low, powerful effort that forced Phillips into an excellent reaction save down to his right.
That chance sparked the Gulls into life, with Moore continuing to cause problems. The forward found space inside City's six-yard box, but his effort was well blocked before Dylan Morgan's follow-up was bravely charged down by George Williams.
Torquay were awarded a penalty in the 15th minute after Tobias Alsop brought down Jordan Young inside the area. Deon Moore stepped up confidently, sending Phillips the wrong way to give the hosts the lead. The match was briefly halted moments later after a yellow flare was thrown onto the pitch from the home end during the friendly encounter.
Phillips was soon in action again as the Gulls searched for a second, producing another sharp stop to deny Dylan Morgan after his low strike found its way through a crowded penalty area.
A looping ball over the top then almost caught City's defence out, allowing the lively Moore another sight of goal, but this time his effort was straight at Phillips.
The hosts doubled their advantage in the 25th minute. Moore again proved the architect, powering past Tobias Alsop before squaring across the face of goal for Isaac Westerndorf, who turned Liam Oakes and finished emphatically from close range to make it 2-0.
City responded on the half-hour mark and tested Toby Savin for the first time. George Birch intercepted a loose pass before threading an excellent through ball into the path of Josh Gordon. From a tight angle, City's No.10 fired a low effort that Savin did well to keep out.
The Grecians pulled a goal back two minutes before the break. Birch again was the creator, finding space before delicately lifting a dinked ball into the area for Kieran Wilson, who kept his composure to score at the second attempt and reduce the deficit heading into half-time.
Second Half
Both sides returned unchanged after the break, with City making the brighter start as they looked to take the game to the Gulls.
Liam Oakes, in the heart of midfield, drove forward before unleashing a long-range effort that took a deflection off a Torquay defender. The looping ball dropped invitingly for Josh Gordon inside the area, but he was unable to generate enough power with his header and Toby Savin gathered comfortably.
City continued to press and Pedro Elawar tried his luck from the edge of the area, but his powerful strike flew over the crossbar. Minutes later, Elawar was involved again as George Birch threaded a superb pass into his path. City's No.41 almost reached the ball ahead of Savin, but the Torquay goalkeeper reacted well to divert it behind for a corner.
A defensive lapse at the other end handed Deon Moore an opportunity inside the City box, but the forward could only curl his effort narrowly wide of the top corner. Frankie Phillips then produced a stunning save on 61 minutes to keep City in the contest. A deep free-kick found former Grecian Jordan Dyer, whose header looked destined for the net, but Phillips showed outstanding reflexes to somehow tip the effort away.
City responded by carving out a glorious chance to equalise after 66 minutes. Birch intercepted a loose pass before delicately lifting the ball through to Kieran Wilson. The striker took a touch and fired towards goal, but his effort was straight at Zak Baker.
Wilson was involved again moments later, expertly cushioning a hopeful ball forward into the path of Gordon. The forward drove into the penalty area and struck low towards the bottom corner, but Baker was equal to it once again.
Phillips was called into action for a final time in the 83rd minute, producing another excellent save to deny former Grecian Matt Jay. Diving low to his right, City's No.22 pushed the goal-bound effort around the post to cap an impressive individual display between the sticks.
City's No.46 Louie Cayless had the final chance of the game to level the scores, but his free-kick from 25-yards bent just wide of the Gull's net.
Up Next
The Grecians final pre-season match is in less than 24 hours, against Championship side Bristol City at St James Park. Ticket prices are low for the match so come back Matt Taylor’s Grecians for one last time before the season kicks-off at Home Park. Click here for tickets.
Match Details
Torquay United XI: Savin (GK) (Baker 64’), Bernard, Hill, Dryer (Dyer 57’), Sundire, Young, Morgan (Lo-Everton 57’), Moore (Cooke 78’), Wannell, Worthington, Westerndorf (Morton 64’).
Unused Subs: Baker, Trialist A, Jenkins, Hayfield, Jay, Morton.
Goals: Moore 15’, Westerndorf 25’
Yellow card: Young 33’
Exeter City XI: Phillips (GK), Dean (Rickhuss 69’), Cartwright (Newport 80’), Cayless, Alsop, Williams (Grant 69’), Oakes (Baker), Elawar (Swift 88'), Birch (Lang 69’), Wilson (Aworinde 83'), Gordon (Appleton 83').
Unused Subs: Murray (GK),
Goal: Wilson 43’
Yellow cards: Alsop 60’
Attendance: 3358 (Including 835 Grecians)