Exeter City’s Under-18s head into the 2017/2018 season full of optimism after coach Dan Green and his squad returned home from a successful pre-season trip to Holland.
City’s youngsters played three matches in 12 days, which allowed the Grecians to finalise preparations for the start of the 2017/2018 Youth Alliance South West Division season.
Exeter started proceedings with a match against the under-19s of FC Dordrecht. Despite facing opponents older than themselves, the Englishmen were far from intimidated by them. Jordan Dyer and Joe O’Loughlin both netted giving the Devon club a well-deserved first win of the tour.
A few days later, the Grecians played NAC Breda’s under-17s. Exeter dominated the game throughout, and ran out 7-2 winners in what was a ruthless performance.
Brandon Parsons bagged a hat-trick, whilst O’Loughlin, Josh Key, Lucas White, and James Dodd also converted in a decent win for the tourists.
In their final fixture, Green’s men faced Sparta Rotterdam inside Het Kasteel, the first team’s stadium.
Goals from Will Dean, Harry Kite, as well as a brace from White, saw the Grecians record an impressive 4-0 victory to round off a wonderful trip for the Grecians.
With a 100 per cent record in the Netherlands, it left City’s youngsters in an upbeat mood ahead of their first league match of the new campaign; a home fixture against Swindon Town this weekend.
Following their return last Saturday, Green admitted the trip had produced plenty of positives for his young squad.
“Overall it was a fantastic experience, and we had a really good time away together. The lads were very professional in the way they handled themselves on and off the pitch, and they are a credit to the football club.
“Credit must go to the League Football Education for organising the trip. There were some real challenges for the players, and although we’ve worked extremely hard over the 12 days, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
“The experience was full of positives, and it was certainly nice to win all three of our games. I believe it has put us in a really good place, and we now can’t wait for the season to begin.”