Midfielder lauds under-21s’ efforts
Exeter City’s under-21 side continued to defy the odds with a 2-0 victory against Southampton at St James Park, and winger Jake Gosling was delighted with the team performance that earned them a deserved victory.
The Grecians went ahead through Jimmy Keohane on the hour, and Gosling smashed home the sealing goal from the penalty spot after Aaron Dawson was felled inside the penalty area. And the 20-year-old was visibly delighted with the performance and result that secured passage to the last 16.
“It was brilliant,” said Gosling. “It was a huge effort from the boys – it was a really good achievement from all of us.
“We’ve got a really good team – we’re not going to get ahead of ourselves and think we’re world-beaters, but we know we’re capable of pulling off results like that. We went into that game knowing we could win, and hopefully we can do the same to the next team in the next round.
“I think the difference was our work ethic as a team. We had a set plan and I thought we executed it well. We knew that if we went in at half-time at nil-nil that we’d be capable of scoring goals through our front four.
“Our defence have been really strong too and united – everyone was just brilliant today.”
The Grecians – who were the only League 2 side left in the last 32, and therefore will be considered the minnows in the last 16 – will have to wait to find out their last-16 opponents.
The competition has been regionalised along a north/south divide until now, and will be nationwide for the next stage – but it is another southern team that Gosling is most hopeful of meeting.
“I’m an Arsenal supporter, so drawing them would be nice!” he continued. “But anyone will do – we’ll be happy playing anyone.”