Under-18 Report: Northampton Town 3 Exeter City 3

U18 Match Report Graphic, stipulating that City drew 3-3 with Northampton Town's under-18s.

Exeter City Under-18s came back from 3-1 down to claim a point away at Northampton Town on Saturday afternoon.

Despite taking an early lead through Theo Cutler's strike, City found themselves 3-1 down little over 35 minutes into the match thanks to avoidable errors. However, Callum Graham's goal got the Grecians back into the game before half-time before Kieran Wilson completed the comeback after the interval. 

Nicky Ajose made four changes to his last eleven after a two week break in fixtures, with George Birch coming in for his first start in over a month after being out with injury. 

First half

The Grecians began the match well, dominating the ball and playing their way around Northampton's press. A key component in City's midfield was the returning Birch, who's play manipulated the home midfielders to find spaces and play between the Cobblers' lines.

It was from Birch that the opening goal originated. Receiving the ball deep inside his own half, Birch turned and drove forward, before spraying a pass out to Kieran Wilson on the left wing. From there, the Scottish forward cut into the penalty area and attempted to shoot, but a defender blocked the ball out to the opposing side of the box.

City kept possession though and the ball was recycled to Liam Oakes, who drove to the byline before passing the ball across goal, where Theo Cutler ran across the near post and got the faintest of touches to put Exeter 1-0 up.

However, City couldn't continue their bright start and three moments lacking in quality swung the match in the Cobblers' favour.

Just five minutes after the opening goal, a poor pass out from Exeter's keeper Dylan Shanahan gave away possession and as a defender tucked in to rectify the situation, he gave away a penalty. The Northampton player sent Shanahan the wrong way to level the match inside 20 minutes.

Then, eight minutes later, possession was gifted to Northampton again, and despite Shanahan saving an inital effort, the rebound was put over his head, into the net and with that, City's lead was lost.

Another wayward pass in midfield lead to the home side's third. After picking the ball up on the tip of the centre circle, a Cobblers' player sliced through City's defence and slotted home to increase their margin.

However, the young Grecians showed grit and determination to get back into the match before the interval.

Again the ball was played to Wilson on the left, and this time he flashed the ball low across the six yard box, and Callum Graham was there at the back post to make the score 3-2 at half-time. 

Second half

City came out with renewed belief in the second half but without the influential Birch, as his return to fitness was managed by the coaching staff.

That didn't initially halt City's momentum though, as Wilson capped off his own impressive performance with a goal to level the match. From the left wing, Wilson dropped his shoulder to lose his marker and found a yard of space inside the box, which he capitalised on to finish low into the far corner. 

Several other chances came for City with the Northampton keeper making several saves to keep his team in the match, however none could creep past the line. A first point of the season for Nicky Ajose's team and a much improved performance from previous weeks that will give the young Grecians confidence heading into a busy autumn. 

 

Exeter City Under-18s: Shanahan, Oakes, Alsop, Cayless, Anthony, Birch, Graham, Crees, Cutler, Appleton, Wilson.

Substitutes: Down (GK), Baker, Rickhuss, Aston.

Goals: Cutler 11', Graham 44', Wilson 50'.