Exeter City FC

Exeter City's under-23s gave themselves a fighting chance to reach the knockout stages of the Under-23 Premier League Cup with an excellent 3-0 win over Norwich City away from home.

Goals from Alex Hartridge, Joel Randall and Josh Key in the second half did the damage for the Grecians, who now sit on five points in the group and in third place.

The Grecians started brightly and had the first real chance of the game when Josh Key’s glancing toe poke was met by the hands of the Norwich keeper, who made a smart catch from close range.

Harry Kite then managed to pinch possession in midfield before he found Ben Seymour, but his effort was dragged wide of goal.

The away side continued to look dangerous on the counter-attack and created another good chance on 26 minutes when Randall was found in space before his effort was diverted into the hands of the Norwich shot-stopper.

It was then Norwich’s turn to test the City back line and they almost went ahead when Josh Coley chested the ball before volleying at goal to force a strong save from Felix Norman to keep the score at 0-0 going into half-time.

The Grecians started the second period on the front foot, and their pressure paid off when Hartridge did well to latch onto a corner to head home from close range on 53 minutes to make it 1-0.

Just 10 minutes later City deservedly doubled their lead when Randall managed to give City a comfortable advantage.

Norwich then had a chance to get back into the game when Jon McCracken’s long ball found Adam Idah who hit a curling shot towards goal which Norman did well to keep out.

That moment proved vital as just one minute later the Grecians confirmed the points when Key headed home at the front post to make the score 3-0.

As they held out for the three points, the Grecians will now turn their attentions to Leicester City at St James Park on Thursday, February 21 having given themselves a chance to qualify if they can take all three points against the Foxes and other results go their way.