Attendance - 4,677 (1,500 City fans)
Match Report
This time, City lived up to the pre-season optimism. In the last few seasons, hopes were high for the upcoming campaign. But not since 1996 have we seen a follow up of this optimism; a win on the first day of the season. This time, we did.
Brain Little had a couple of surprises in his starting line-up; Matt Glennon won the battle to start in goal from Paul Musselwhite, and Ian Goodison lined up at left back as Nicky Mohan slotted in to the centre. The kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes as many Tigers supporters were still stuck on the M5 along with all the caravans and such like, all jammed full of holiday gear. I have never personally seen how Cornwall.Devon is so poular for Summer Holidays, but still...
City started off attacking the goal opposite to where we were standing, (thankfully good weather) and made a positive start. However, the home side were up for the contest and the tackles began flying immediately. It was not a nasty game by any means, but Exeter are renowned for being a physical side and lived up to their reputation. Some of the challenges on Gary Alaxander in particular I felt should not have gone un-punished, and every 50-50 seemed to go against us, but still... As City started to take control of the game, Lawrie Dudfield made a dazzling run in to the area before shooting just wide of the post. A goal seemed to be coming, and it did... But not at the right end as far as City were concerned. Against the run of play, Exeter scored.
The ref awarded the Grecians a free kick for a foul by Julian Johnsson, and booked the Icelander, before moving the ball forwards 10 yards for dissent. There were claims for a free kick to the Tigers moments earlier for a handball and a foul, but neither were given. The free kick was hammered at the City wall, and as the ball bounced in to the area, Steve Flack missed it completely, before Jamie Campbell placed a nicely taken side-foot past Matt Glennon.
Ryan Williams had to be substituted due to a knee injury and on in his place came Theodore Whitmore. The Jamican immediately turned the game. Just 6 minutes after coming on, Theo headed home a pin-point David Beresford cross to draw City level. And he continued to torment Exeter for the remainder of the half, as the Tigers continued to take the game to their opponents and stay in control.
After the break, City upped the tempo even further and increased their lead through Mark Greaves. Whitmore turned a Greican defender on the right and delivered the ball low across goal, and Greavesie timed his run perfectly to smash it home at the back post. The hosts brought on Christian Roberts and Grameme Tomlinson in succession to try and get back level, and they did have a spell of pressure. City had to defend resolutely, including many corners, but did it successfully and weathered the storm.
And in the final 5 minutes, the Tigers increased their lead. Lee Philpott passed to Lawrie Dudfield, who saw his shot on the turn saved by arjan Van Heusden. But City's record signing immediately received the ball back via a stray head from an Exeter defender, and made no mistake in firing home. The points were safe. Phew! The players received tremendous applause from the Tigers faithful at the final whistle, and fully deserved all of it. A great performance and a great start.
Man Of The Match - Lawrie Dudfield
Gave everything up front and got a goal for his efforts.
Day Out...
The nightmare coach trip wan't helped by massive delays outside of Bristol, which meant we arrived at the ground at 2.15, and went straight in. The kick-off was delayed due to the traffic congestion, with many City fans not arriving until 3.15, when the game did go ahead.
Exeter fans are not consistently loud, but when they get going it's fairly noisy. The Tigers support did their best, but with no roof and a shallow stand, it's hard to create any real noise. The first goal was a sickener but the support remained good, with the referee taking the brunt of blame for their goal, due to the controversial nature of the free kick which led to it. After the equaliser went in the singing increased somewhat and even more so after the second goal, carrying on to the end of the game.
The lads received a brilliant reception at the final whistle, with the journey home worth it for once, with a well-deserved and crucial victory.
Support - 1500 |
