Exeter City had three aims before Tuesday night’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur U21s in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. And they achieved them all.
Goals from Millenic Alli and then a stoppage-time stunner from Jake Richards gave the Grecians a 2-0 win which guaranteed them a spot in the knockout stages of the competition and put them in pole position for that to be a home tie.
Pedro Borges saw a shot cleared off the line while Ed James saw a header glance just past the post as the Grecians edged a first half that was short of much real goalmouth action. Alli blazed a sitter over the crossbar early in the second half.
But the Irishman redeemed himself and broke the deadlock in the 55 th minute when he scrappily bundled home from a corner from close range to make it 1-0. The victory was sealed in stoppage-time when 17-year-old Richards smashed home a stunning free-kick to score his first senior goal.
“We went into the game with three aims,” Player Development Coach Dan Green said. “To win the game, build momentum, and for there to be performances that build squad depth – and we got all three of them tonight.
“I am really pleased. We set out wanting the win but also with players to push and make sure that we are more competitive and the performance from many of the individuals on show have provided that. The next point is to make sure we have a home tie so the final game at Bristol Rovers is important.
“What we are focusing on in these games and the Premier League cup games is to build momentum and rhythm and provide a fixture programme to showcase their ability and push for a league spot. In spells, we showed our quality. The second half was slightly bitty but you find that in this competition but we showed defensively solidity which gave us a platform to go and score those goals.”
From the 2-0 win over Stevenage on Saturday, Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell made ten changes to the starting line-up, with only Ed Francis retaining his spot in a heavily rotated side. Shaun MacDonald was in goal, James, Jack Fitzwater, who captained, and Ben Purrington were the back three. Caleb Watts and Mustapha Carayol were the wing-backs, with Richards and Borges alongside Francis in midfield. Sonny Cox and Alli started upfront. The bench was full of six youngsters – and David Perkins – more on that later.
City came close in the 13 th minute when Alli burst into the box, but got too much power on the strike which rose over the crossbar. The Irishman then played a beautiful ball into the box which Cox just couldn’t get a touch on. The chances for City kept coming though as Carayol picked out Borges, but his shot was blocked on the line. Just before half-time, James’ glancing header went just wide.
Caldwell made one change at the break, with Liam Oakes replacing Carayol, and within 20 seconds, the 17-year-old fashioned the best chance of the match. His cross was met by an onrushing Purrington, but he headed straight into the arms of Gunter. Leo Black though for Spurs had an even better chance when he was unmarked six yards out, his glancing header went wide.
The chances were getting better and 51 minutes, Exeter couldn’t believe they weren’t ahead. Watts’ cross was only half cleared to Alli. The Irishman was eight yards at best out, with a free shot on goal. Somehow he blazed it over the crossbar.
Five minutes later though, he atoned as he opened the scoring. Francis’ corner was deep, Borges did well to leap high and nod it back across goal, and the striker bundled the ball home from close range. It was scrappy and scruffy, but they all count, and his third of the season redeemed his earlier miss.
That was Alli’s last meaningful action as midway through the half Caldwell made a triple sub. Off came Watts and Francis as well, with The Cutler, Louis Cayless and Perkins coming on. Cayless when he appeared three weeks ago was Exeter’s second youngest player. Perkins at the age of 42 years and 94 days became the Grecians’ oldest ever player.
Cutler, making only his second appearance for the senior team, nearly opened his account. He was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his touch as he tried to round him was a bit heavy, and he fired into the side netting.
Jaden Williams saw a header from a corner loop onto the crossbar as Spurs valiantly fought, but four minutes into stoppage time, City did make it 2-0. Richards lashed home a free-kick from 25 yards in off the crossbar to seal the victory, and what a strike it was.
“It was a brilliant night for the club,” Green added, with City finishing with seven teenagers on the pitch. “A fantastic result, and this will be vital for the rest of their careers. It was brilliant to see them celebrating in front of the Big Bank – and I hope everyone enjoyed it.”