Exeter City began their 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two campaign in defeat to Grimsby Town, with Harvey Rodgers' first-half strike enough to secure all three points.
Exeter City began their 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two campaign at Blundell Park, facing Grimsby Town. One of the Northern-most away days for the Grecians, manager Matt Taylor named a single change to his starting XI that saw returning face Vincent Harper given the nod in place of Gwion Edwards.
The news of Harper’s return to City came hours before the Grecians announced the loan signing of Manchester City youngster, Lakyle Samuel, though he would have to settle for a spot on the bench. David Artell named former City goalkeeper and academy graduate, Christy Pym, in the starting lineup for the home side.
First Half
Charles Vernam wasted no time in testing the City defence in the opening minutes of the game, neatly plucking a diagonal ball out of the air before crossing deep into the Grecian penalty area. Jayden Sweeney arrived on the scene to meet the cross, yet he will have been frustrated with his effort which sailed wide.
Vernam offered his crossing ability again shortly after, drilling a low ball towards Andy Cook at the back post yet Jack Bycroft was quick off his marks to claim the ball and stop the threat.
The Grecians grew into the half, enjoying a spell of play in the opposition half that saw Andrew Oluwabori work hard to dribble into the box and cross low, forcing Maldini Kacurri into a crucial clearance three yards out.
City carried the momentum after winning a free kick 25-yards out and created the best chance of the game yet. Reece Cole’s cross found Ed James at the back post who jumped to meet the ball yet saw his headed effort drift narrowly wide of the far post.
With ten minutes to go until the break, the Mariners began to pile more pressure on the Grecian defence. Cook picked the ball up before shooting from range, forcing Bycroft into a punch that temporarily cleared the danger.
City’s undoing however came moments later with the home team awarded a corner. The penalty area briefly turned into a pinball machine before the ball fell to Harvey Rodgers who fired home from close range to open the scoring.
Jayden Wareham proved to have the final chance of the half, mis-controlling a lofted cross and shooting over the bar shortly before referee Abigal Byrne blew up for the break with the hosts narrowly ahead.
Second Half
David Artell’s men began the second half much in the same way they had ended the first, forcing Jake Doyle-Hayes into a defensive header that sent the ball just wide enough of the post from an early free kick.
City went searching for an equaliser with their first corner kick of the game that picked out Jack Fitzwater deep inside the penalty area. The City skipper made a strong connection with the ball and forced Christy Pym into a full-reach stop.
A trio of substitutions just shy of the hour mark saw new recruit Lakyle Samuel join the pitch alongside fellow Summer acquisitions Gwion Edwards & Josh Gordon.
Less than ten minutes into the changes, Edwards took the ball to the goal line and crossed to Samuel arriving at the back post, yet the Manchester City loanee was unable to control his effort and struck high.
Iwan Morgan, brought on to replace Cook, will have felt frustrated with his effort 15 minutes from time. The Mariners dribbled the ball goalwards before crossing to the striker, yet his headed effort was well and truly misplaced and found only the onlooking Pontoon stand.
Vernam opted to have a shot on goal himself with less than ten minutes left on the clock, forcing Bycroft into a sublime save at his bottom right to prevent a second goal. With the hosts applying immense levels of pressure, George Birch worked hard to break free on the right flank and find Wareham inside the area, though his effort didn’t test Pym.
It was a rinse-repeat for Birch who drilled another ball across minutes later, again finding Wareham who hit it agonisingly high from close range. With the four minutes of additional play over, Byrne blew the whistle once more to call an end to the opening match of the 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two season.
Up Next
The Grecians get home action underway on Saturday, 22nd August as they host Accrington Stanley in Sky Bet League Two. Tickets for this game are still on sale, with more information and purchase options available by clicking the image below.
Match Details
Grimsby Town Starting XI
Pym (GK), Kacurri, Sweeney, Green © (Walker 84’), Rodgers, Doyle (Morgan 68’), Doyle, Amaluzor (Reynolds 68’), David Turi, McJannet, Vernam, Cook (Andrews 73’)
Grimsby Town Unused Subs
Auton (GK), Foulkes, Brown
Grimsby Town Goalscorers
Rodgers (35’)
Grimsby Town Yellow Cards
McJannet (43’)
Exeter City Starting XI
Bycroft (GK), Woodhouse, Fitzwater ©, Perry (Birch 80’), Wareham, Oluwabori (Samuel 58’), Cole, Cummins, Harper (Harper 58’), Doyle-Hayes (Gordon 58’), James
Exeter City Unused Subs
Phillips (GK), Oakes, Cox
Exeter City Yellow Cards
Doyle-Hayes (23’)
Match Officials
Abigail Byrne, Daniel Jarvis, Daniel Smih, Carl Fitch-Jackson
Attendance
7,483 (inc. 401 away supporters)