Exeter City continued their pre-season preparations with a 4-1 victory over FC United, celebrating the spirit of fan ownership on a rain-soaked afternoon at Broadhurst Park.

Early goals from Reece Cole and Ethan Brierley, followed by a strike from Pat Jones, helped City secure a comfortable win against our fan-owned friends from Manchester. Jay Fitzmartin scored a spectacular consolation for the hosts with a curling effort into the top corner.

With another City side defeating Aston Villa U21s 2–0 on Friday afternoon, manager Gary Caldwell named a strong starting XI that included first starts for summer signings Ryan Rydel and Sil Swinkels, along with a return for Joe Whitworth in goal. Pierce Sweeney was named on the bench for the first time since City’s defeat to Barnsley in December 2024.

First Half

FC United kicked off in torrential rain, but City made the perfect start, taking the lead after just three minutes. Reece Cole made it two goals in as many games, firing home after excellent control and a clever pass from Ethan Brierley on the edge of the box.

Cole almost doubled his tally moments later, latching onto another precise ball from Brierley, but his shot was well saved and turned behind for a corner. From the resulting set piece, City made it two. Cole’s delivery deflected into the path of Brierley, who finished confidently from close range.

FC United nearly pulled one back in the 13th minute when Jordan Buckley struck the crossbar with a fierce effort following a powerful run by veteran striker Adam Le Fondre.

Reece Cole continued to orchestrate City’s attacks, and a quickly taken free-kick found Jayden Wareham inside the box. His shot on the turn was expertly tipped over by Dan Atherton in the FC United goal.

Despite the heavy rain making conditions difficult, City continued to press. On 22 minutes, a cross into the United box found Tom Dean in space, who headed back to Wareham, but the striker’s effort was comfortably saved.

City thought they had added a third on 37 minutes when the ball was bundled over the line from a corner, but the referee spotted a foul on the goalkeeper.

At the other end, a defensive mix-up gave Buckley a chance inside the area, but Joe Whitworth reacted brilliantly to push his shot over the bar.

City went into the break with a deserved 2–0 lead.

Second Half

Gary Caldwell made two planned changes at the interval, with Pat Jones replacing Rydel and Luca Woodhouse coming on for Swinkels.

City started the second half with renewed intent. Jones quickly made an impact, finding space on the left and sending in a dangerous cross that narrowly evaded teammates in the box.

Moments later, Sonny Cox drove forward and unleashed a powerful effort from 25 yards, which whistled just wide.

FC United pulled one back in style on 51 minutes. Jay Fitzmartin cut in from the left and curled a sensational shot into the top corner from outside the box -  a goal worthy of any occasion.

Pierce Sweeney returned to action after an hour, marking his first appearance since December. Shortly after, Kev McDonald saw a deflected shot fly over the bar, and from the resulting corner, Woodhouse headed over.

Fitzmartin remained United’s main threat and was played in over the top after 68 minutes, but his low strike was easily gathered by Whitworth.

City restored their two-goal cushion in the 71st minute. A cut-back from the right found Pat Jones in the box, and he calmly slotted the ball low under the keeper.

Four minutes later, it was 4-1. Wareham’s shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Cox was on hand to tap in the rebound from close range.

City closed out the match comfortably, adding more valuable pre-season minutes ahead of a busy weekend to come.

Up Next:

City are back in action with a double-header next weekend: a trip to Plainmoor to face Torquay United on Friday evening, followed by Pierce Sweeney’s testimonial against Swansea City at 12:30pm on Saturday at St James Park. Click here for tickets.

City XI: Whitworth (GK), Dean, Turns (Sweeney 62'), James, Swinkels (Woodhouse 45'), Rydel (Jones 45'), McDonald (Cummins 75'), Cole (Oakes 75'), Brierley, Wareham, Cox

Subs: Phillips, Woodhouse, Perkins

Goals: Cole 3', Brierley 6', Jones 71', Cox 75'

FC United XI: Atherton (GK), Thomson, Weston, Donohue, Misambo, Evans, Fitzmartin, Wisdom, Le Fondre, Buckley, Grivosti

Subs: Ennis, Sidibe, Smalley, Palinkas, Sudworth, Duckworth, Sithole

Goal: Fitzmartin 51'

Attendance: 904