Hopes and Expectations 

Season Preview 2021/22
A new season is upon us, but there's something very different about this one. It's been a long time since most fans will have been to St James Park but, for the vast majority, the 523-day wait will end today. As a result, the sense of anticipation for this campaign is like none of its predecessors.


Season Preview 2021/22

A new season is upon us, but there's something very different about this one. It's been a long time since most fans will have been to St James Park but, for the vast majority, the 523-day wait will end today. As a result, the sense of anticipation for this campaign is like none of its predecessors.
There's been a lot of change since SJP was last full. Numerous academy graduates have gone from young pros to established first-teamers, to highly sought-afters. Some have even become former Grecians. What is certain is that, despite a number of injuries, there will be plenty of homegrown talent in Matt Taylor's squad later this afternoon. Whilst missing out on the play offs last season was disappointing, so many of our academy graduates are now seasoned professionals looking to build on positive 2020/21 seasons. The likes of Alex Hartridge, Archie Collins, Matt Jay, Josh Key and Ben Seymour all make for a strong core to the squad, with the likes of Jordan Dyer and Harry Kite looking to add more game time following a handful of appearances last season. The highly sought-after Harry Lee and Sonny Cox will also be looking to make their first team debuts after signing their first professional contracts in July. Away from the first team, this year should also provide some of our youngsters with the opportunity to gain first team experience whilst out on loan, touch wood. Currently, Jack Arthur and Cheick Diabate have had loan spells until January 2022 confirmed at Bideford and Truro City respectively. James Dodd, having recovered from back-to-back ACL injuries to earn himself a new contract, is expected to go out on loan, whilst the likes of Nelson Iseguan, Ellis Johnson, Alfie Pond and Jack Veale could all easily spend time away from SJP this season. Despite the emphasis on youth, Matt Taylor has not hesitated to bring in experience over the summer. Jevani Brown, Timothée Dieng, Jonathan Grounds and George Ray all bring with them a wealth of Football League experience. This has been supplemented with further young players with potential in the shape of Josh Coley, Sam Nombe and Callum Rowe. The temporary addition of the highly-regarded Cameron Dawson also adds real quality between the sticks without blocking the pathways of Harry Lee or Jack Arthur whilst they gain experience. The volume of change within the squad, which has proven rarely high compared to recent seasons, doesn't seem to have affected people's opinions on how the Grecians will fare in League Two this season. City are currently tipped to be in the play off mix, with certain journalists even having the Grecians down as favourites for the title!

Pre-season Friendlies

6th July 2021
Weston Super Mare v Exeter City 

Exeter City kicked off pre-season with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Weston-Super-Mare at the Optima Stadium.
James Dodd captained the first half XI, full of youthful homegrown talent making their first starts in the first team. Summer signing Callum Rowe slotted in at left-back with Sonny Cox, who signed professional terms last week, leading the line for the Grecians. Sam Avery had the first chance of the match for the hosts with just two minutes on the clock, as a ball was swept in from deep and he sent a header sailing over Jack Arthur’s goal. The Seagulls continued to have the best of the chances with Scott Laird crashing a free-kick against the post from 25-yards. On 24 minutes Weston doubled their lead through Lucas Vowles, who stooped to head home a wicked delivery from the dangerous Scott Laird from six yards. Matt Taylor made a pair of changes just after half an hour, as Charlie Hanson and Joe Wragg were replaced by Jamie Nicholson and Eli Collins. City came close to halfling the deficit after 40 minutes as Eli Collins sent a thunderous shot from 25-yards crashing off the post with Luke Purnell beaten in the Seagulls goal. Matt Taylor played a more experienced team in the second half which made a strong start. Jack Sparkes impressing down the left, sending in a low cross that just evaded Matt Jay. City fashioned their best chance of the half on 56 minutes as MJ fed Sparkes on the left, who sent in a low cross that Ben Seymour got a toe to but was flagged offside. Matt Jay would be next to test Purnell as his free-kick on the edge of the box on 59 minutes stung the goalkeepers gloves. City really should have pulled one back after 65 minutes as Archie Collins headed wide from a corner. Jack Sparkes again proved an outlet for City as he sent in a teasing low ball on 69 minutes that was inches away from Ben Seymour’s outstretched boot. The Grecians kept pushing to get back in the game with MJ sending a shot over on 72 minutes from Joel Randall’s neat pass. City would finally get the goal their pressing deserved as Josh Key picked up the ball on the halfway line, raced forward beating three defenders before placing an inch perfect cross for Archie Collins to drill home from inside the box.

Final Score 
Weston Super-Mare 2-1 Exeter City 

Line-ups:

Weston-Super-Mare: Luke Purnell, Kieran Thomas, Scott Laird, Jacob Jagger-Cane, Sam Avery, Jason Pope, Nick McCootie, Lloyd Humphries, Lucas Vowles, Dayle Grubb, Jordan Bastin.

Exeter City (First half): Jack Arthur; Ellis Johnson, Cheick Diabate, Alfie Pond, Callum Rowe; Michael Lilley, Jack Veale, James Dodd, Joe Wragg, Charlie Hanson; Sonny Cox
Exeter City (Second half): Harry Lee; Jake Caprice, Josh Key, Jordan Dyer, Alex Hartridge, Jack Sparkes; Harry Kite, Archie Collins; Joel Randall, Matt Jay, Ben Seymour.

9th July 2021
Scott Rogers Testimonial 
Tiverton 0-1 Exeter City 

Exeter City picked up their first win of pre-season against Tiverton Town at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium thanks to Ben Seymour’s second half strike.

The match, which was Tiverton Town joint manager Scott Rogers testimonial, saw Matt Taylor name a more experienced side to start the match.

The trio of George Ray, Jevani Brown and Sam Nombe made their first starts in red and white as Pierce Sweeney returned to the side following re-signing for City earlier in the week. City would be straight out of the traps to force the first chance in the first minute as Sam Nombe charged down Lewis Williams in the Tiverton goal, the ball fell to MJ who dribbled forward and pulled a shot just wide.

The Grecians were on top in the early stages as Pierce Sweeney forced a corner with just five minutes on the clock but were unable to capitalise on their early pressure thanks to some good defending by the hosts. Tiverton created their first opening after seven minutes as former Grecian Kyle Egan was found in space down the right, his swinging delivery was well defended by George Ray. New signing Sam Nombe would again show his pace as Callum Rowe wriggled past a couple players to send Sam clear, his shot was well saved by the legs of Lewis Williams.

Lewis Williams was kept busy in the Tiverton goal as after fifteen minutes a low cross in was diverted towards the goal by Archie Collins, Lewis lept to tip the effort over the bar. After a period of few chances the game sprung to life after twenty-five minutes as former Grecian Louis Morison picked the ball up in midfield and drove at the City defence, his shot took a deflection off Nigel Atangana to earn the Yellows a corner. The resulting delivery was put wide by another former Grecian in Gary Warren. Just after the half hour mark Matt Jay swung in a beautiful cross which was headed just wide by Josh Key, who had previously had a productive spell on loan at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium. The teams would go in at the break level, with manager Matt Taylor making 10 changes as only Jack Arthur remaining in goal for the second half. Jack Sparkes would force the first meaningful chance of the second half as he controlled a Ben Seymour pass on the left to cut inside and blaze his shot over the stand on fifty minutes. A lovely flowing passing move between Joel Randall and James Dodd saw Dodd send in a low ball towards Ben Seymour, but the flag went up for offside. Lewis Williams was forced into an impressive save after the hour mark as Joel Randall cut inside his defender to curl a shot that looked destined for the bottom corner.

The Grecians would take a deserved lead just after the hour mark as Jake Caprice sped away down the right and sent in an inch perfect low cross for Ben Seymour to slot home. Tiverton looked to force their way level as a free kick from Dan Hayfield hit a free kick from 20-yards that was deflected over on seventy minutes, the resulting corner was well defended by the young Grecians. On eighty minutes, Scott Rogers entered the field to be a part of the action for his testimonial match as the game came to a close with the Grecians picking up their first win of pre-season.

Line-ups:

Tiverton Town: Lewis Williams; Kyle Egan, Craig Woodman, Aaron Dawson, Austen Booth, Garry Warren, Jordan Lam, Dan Heyfield, Matt Wright, Louis Morison, Chris Shephard

Exeter City first half: Jack Arthur, Josh Key, Pierce Sweeney, George Ray, Alex Hartridge, Callum Rowe; Nigel Atangana, Archie Collins; Jevani Brown, Matt Jay; Sam Nombe (Cox ‘37)

Exeter City second half: Jack Arthur; Jake Caprice, Alfie Pond, Jordan Dyer, Cheick Diabate, Jack Sparkes; James Dodd, Harry Kite, Jack Veale; Joel Randall, Ben Seymour

 

13th July 2021
Taunton v Exeter City

Exeter City recorded a rampant 5-0 against Taunton Town in their third pre-season match.

Ben Seymour and Sam Nombe both bagged braces, with Jevani Brown adding another as the Grecians put in a performance worthy of the five goals. City started the contest brightly. Jake Caprice was linking well with the young midfield pairing of Veale and Kite and soon asserted his dominance over Taunton full back Ross Staley. With Caprice finding joy in wide areas, it would be from City’s productive right side that the opening goal would come. Pierce Sweeney’s long throw found the movement of Jevani Brown, he cut the ball back into the path of Jack Veale and the City midfielder’s shot across goal was diverted home by Ben Seymour. Jevani Brown and Jake Caprice were now at the heart of City’s best attacking play. After Brown had just failed to beat Lloyd Irish following a short back pass, the summer signing cleverly played in Caprice whose low cross just required someone to tap home to double the lead. For all the Grecian’s dominance, Taunton had a glorious chance to equalise. A short back pass was seized upon by Toby Holmes who rounded Scott Brown before hitting the post form a tight angle. With a big scare survived, Callum Howe was beginning to show his threat on the City left. With a number of willing surges forward, he won a tackle in the Taunton penalty area before seeing the subsequent shot ripple the side netting.

The home side’s threat remained consistent enough to keep the City defence requiring full concentration, neat midfield play created a shooting chance for Jared Lewington and his strike narrowly cleared the cross bar. The half ended the way it had begun. City causing a threat on their right side with Jake Caprice and Jevani Brown linking with success, this time creating a shooting chance for Callum Howe who failed to threaten Irish in the Peacock’s goal. A deserved lead for the visitors at the break. The second half began with a familiar pattern. The Grecian’s right side probing with incisive play and creative movement. Ben Seymour found himself one on one with Lloyd Irish before the linesman flagged offside, but City’s Number nine was not to be denied moments later. Caprice delivered a low ball across the Taunton goal before Seymour latched onto the pass to slot home the second. Seymour’s eager movement would again be denied by the linesman’s flag, before Jevani Brown added to the City lead with a deserved goal for the striker. A dangerous cross towards the centre of the penalty box was only half cleared and he controlled neatly before striking low into the bottom corner. With over an hour played Matt Taylor rang the changes. The impact was immediate, Nombe reacted quickest to a contested long ball and his power and pace was too much for the home defence. After holding off the defender he slotted home his first City goal with a neat finish. Nombe was now causing a constant threat. First, he shrugged off a defensive challenge to create a shooting chance that was struck wide. A high City press then created a further chance that was hit over, before more good play saw the new City Number Ten hit narrowly wide. Pace, power and a desire to play on the last line of defence, there was plenty to enthuse the City travelling support in Nombe’s cameo appearance. Academy Keeper Andrew Sowden was given a debut, but it was City who were playing some of their most fluid football of Pre-Season. Collins, Randall and Nombe all had half chances before a Josh Key header flew wide from a corner. City’s dominance was not to go unrewarded for much longer. Nombe receiving the ball on the edge of the Taunton area, holding off his marker before striking low into the bottom corner for number five. Josh Key’s square pass was not converted, before a diving header from James Dodd failed to trouble the home keeper, as City finished strongly under the Somerset sunset. A compressive performance from Matt Taylor’s side as they showed the tempo and quality that will be required as the head into the new season. From those players who are making a start to their City careers, there was a lot to feel excited about.

City XI: S.Brown, Rowe, Sweeney, Dyer, Diabate, Caprice, Veale, Kite, Jay, J.Brown, Seymour.

City 60 mins XI: S.Brown (Sowden), Sparkes, Hartridge, Ray, Johnson, Key, Lilley, Dodd, Collins, Randall, Nombe. 

16th July 2021
Bath City v Exeter City 

Exeter City beat Bath City 4-3 in an entertaining pre-season encounter at Twerton Park, thanks to goals from Sam Nombe (2), Matt Jay, and James Dodd.

On a warm Somerset evening, City began in a similar vein to the way they had finished so strongly at Taunton on Tuesday. A fluid passing move involving Key and Collins would eventually lead to a corner, Alex Hartridge meeting Joel Randall’s cross with a thumping volley that narrowly cleared the crossbar. With the Grecian’s wingbacks finding time in possession, Jack Sparkes sent in a low cross which saw Sam Nombe’s resulting shot hit the foot of the post. Sparkes would be involved again a short time later, sending a free kick towards the near post that was met by George Ray, who failed to hit the target with his effort. City would not be denied for long. Josh Key and Archie Collins again linking with patience, this time the cross into Nombe was cushioned into the path of James Dodd, and the impressive midfielder stroked the ball into the bottom corner. City now had control of the game, both wide areas of the pitch proving fruitful as the probing and patience of Collins, Dodd and Randall led to a chance for Collins. Sadly, it lacked the power to trouble Roman’s keeper Will Fuller on this occasion. Josh Key was dominating the City right hand side and when he was accompanied on a counter attack by Joel Randall, Bath had no answer. Their interplay led to a cross into the feet of Nombe, the impressive summer addition turned with his back to goal before drilling in City’s second of the evening. For all City’s dominance, it was Bath who would strike next. With the City wingback’s further up field, the home side found space through Alex Fletcher and his cross was rolled in by Cody Cooke. City responded well, Sam Nombe’s exuberance resulted in a foul and Jack Sparkes’ subsequent free kick towards the head of George Ray was denied by the Bath defence. Jordan Dyer and James Dodd both had half chances from the resulting corner, but the teams would head in at half time with a single goal between them. A bright start to the second half saw City win possession from the high press, Nombe’s pace created the room for Joel Randall to cross, but his low delivery evaded the supporting Archie Collins.  A free kick won by Nombe saw another City chance, George Ray again causing problems in the home side’s defence, but the header drifted wide. Bath would then create an excellent chance to equalise, a diagonal ball would open up the City defence, and as Fletcher ran in on goal he was just over stretching with his effort as it sailed over the crossbar. With the scare survived, City hit back clinically. Josh Key won the loose ball in midfield, played in James Dodd, who swivelled away from his marker to set up Nombe for his second of the evening. The game then settled into a midfield battle, with Matt Taylor choosing to change all the outfield players as he had done at Taunton. With the lull in the game, it is perhaps at this moment to mention the fact that Lloyd James was sporting a Foden style bleach blonde haircut this evening, quite the look! Jake Caprice and Jevani Brown, who had shown an excellent link up at Taunton earlier in the week, were quickly back into the groove. Neat passing interplay saw a low Caprice cross create a headed opportunity for Matt Jay, the City forward seeing his effort roll just wide of Fuller’s goal, as the Grecians looked to up the tempo once more. Tom Smith, who had been industrious in the centre of the pitch for Jerry Gill’s side, then set up a close finish. A ball into an area behind the City defence saw Fletcher cause more problems, his cross found a way to Tom Richards who drilled the ball across goal to be diverted home by Smith. Ben Seymour was cleverly put through on goal by a Matt Jay pass, but he fired into the side netting  from a tight angle. It was a chance that would prove momentarily significant. Smith, now playing higher up the pitch, outmuscled the young Grecian defence following a direct ball and calmly slotted home the equaliser. With City now under pressure it required a calm presence and there are not many calmer than Matt Jay. Patient play found the forward in a central area and after twisting and turning he fired home to give City the lead once more.

An exciting encounter that both sides will take positives from. More goals for City, with some slick play once again catching the eye.

First Half: Scott Brown, Jordan Dyer, George Ray, Alex Hartridge, Josh Key, Jack Sparkes, Harry Kite, Archie Collins, James Dodd, Joel Randall, Sam Nombe

Second Half (60 Minute Team): Scott Brown, Pierce Sweeney, Jake Caprice, Matt Jay, Jevani Brown, Ben Seymour, Cheick Diabate (Wragg,) Ellis Johnson, Jack Veale, Eli Collins, Zeph Collins

20th July 2021
Weymouth v Exeter City 

Exeter City continued their pre-season schedule with a 3-2 win against Weymouth at the Bob Lucas Stadium.

Grecians’ manager Matt Taylor named a strong side to face their toughest test in pre-season as they came up against National League opponents in the Terras.

Summer signing Sam Nombe, who scored four times in his last two matches, lead the line for the Grecians, whilst Nigel Atangana made a return to the side. On a baking hot evening in Dorset, the Grecians looked to carry on their free scoring ways as evident against Bath City and Taunton Town, coming straight out of the blocks. It took just four minutes for City to open the scoring, as last season’s player of the season Matt Jay found the back of the net. It all came from him taking a free kick quickly for Sam Nombe, and as City retained play for the next phase, he got the head to it to turn the ball in to give the Grecians a deserved early lead. The Grecians were well on top in the early stages and almost made it two as Matt Jay found Sam Nombe who saw his effort on the swivel go just over the bar with less than ten minutes on the clock. City doubled their lead on sixteen minutes with a superb move. Jack Sparkes won possession back and found Jevani Brown with the *perfect* ball over the top, Jevani then lobs the onrushing goalkeeper from just outside the area to put City in control. The game then settled into a closer encounter as the hosts did more of the attacking, Scott Brown making a couple of decent saves including smothering a one-on-one chance from the Terras on the half hour mark. Jevani Brown looked to have suffered a knock, which saw him depart, being replaced by James Dodd and the Grecians would head in at the break good value for their two-goal lead.

The second half started off in the same fashion as the first half with the Grecians going on the charge from the off, but it would be the Terras who almost got back into the match with Brandon Goodship charging down Scott Brown and the ball thankfully would head wide of the post. City recovered from the early scare to make it three after fifty-one minutes as Sam Nombe continued his impressive pre-season form, finding the back of the net, curling home Matt Jay's lay off to make it five goals in his last three matches. Weymouth got on the scoresheet on the hour mark as a City corner is cleared straight into the attack and Rose took the ball past his defender with some great skill after being found by Shields. Rose cut inside and slotted the ball past Brown with his right foot to make it 3-1.

The goal would spark the Grecians back into life and they would almost extend their lead through the lively Matt Jay, who has a go with a first-time effort from the edge of the box, but it’s well saved by the keeper who had only just come on. The goal gave the hosts confidence, and they would continue to knock the ball about quite well. having a decent five-minute spell on the ball. A corner swung in just after seventy minutes was headed towards goal and a fine reaction save from Scott Brown kept City’s two-goal advantage. The lively Rose continued to cause the City back line problems and after not winning a free kick from a challenge from Sweeney, Rose chased back to win the ball off Callum Rowe, but his effort from the edge of the box would sail high over the bar. Weymouth really should have made it 3-2 as a cross across the box deflects off Callum Rowe, onto the bar, then safely into the hands of Scott Brown. Weymouth then got the goal their strong end to the half deserved as Tyler Cordner sends a header past Scott Brown after 90 minutes, but it was too late and the match ended 3-2 to the Grecians.

Exeter City XI: Scott Brown; Josh Key (Caprice ’73), Pierce Sweeney (Diabate ’80), George Ray (Dyer ‘67), Alex Hartridge. Jack Sparkes (Rowe ’73); Nigel Atangana (Kite ’52), Archie Collins, Jevani Brown (Dodd 34), Matt Jay (Veale ’80); Sam Nombe (Hanson ‘67)

Subs not used: Jack Arthur

24th July 2021
Cardiff City v Exeter City 

Exeter City continued their fine form in pre-season with a 2-2 draw against Championship side Cardiff City.

Exeter City boss, Matt Taylor named a strong squad to compete with the high calibre opposition as he offered a return to the starting line-up for Joel Randall, who recovered from a slight injury that kept him out of our 3-2 win over Weymouth on Tuesday. Exeter started the game with a composed fashion in their passing play. Their early pressure was telling as they forced a mistake from Cardiff man Will Vaulks, who gifted possession to Joel Randall but failed to capitalise. However, the breakthrough arose after a slick Exeter combination between Sam Nombe and Joel Randall found the feet of Matt Jay, who continued his exceptional goalscoring form by leaving Cardiff goalkeeper Alex Smithies in no man’s land as his 22^nd minute strike nestled in the back of the net. Cardiff City almost recovered quickly as a sloppy loss of possession on Exeter’s behalf allowed Lee Tomlin to drive towards the Exeter 18-yard box but his eventual shot flew narrowly wide. Exeter continued to attack well and nearly doubled their lead in the 35^th minute. Matt Jay threaded through Jack Sparkes into a dangerous area on the left-hand side. However, his low testing cross fell just agonisingly short of Sam Nombe’s outstretched boot as he tried to guide the ball into the Cardiff net to make it two. The Cardiff ship steadied as the half progressed, and they began to find a rhythm in their search for the much-needed equaliser. On the stroke of half time the Cardiff pressure told and a low cross into the corridor of uncertainty found the right boot of summer signing James Collins, who fired it past a helpless Scott Brown. The late Cardiff strike sent both sides into half-time level, which based on the balance of play seemed fair. Exeter’s first half performance however showed a lot of promise, as they continued to express their intent to commit to a dynamic attacking philosophy of playing. Exeter began the second half in the same vein as the first. In the 50^th minute, a free-flowing attack between, Collins, Jay and Caprice down the right-hand side led to a corner which wasn’t dealt with by the Cardiff City defence. The Ball fell to Pierce Sweeney who was lingering at the back post and he fired home to put the Grecian’s back in the lead. Yet again, as Cardiff hunted for an equaliser Lee Tomlin was at the heart of everything good. His surging run down the right and eventual cross tested the Exeter backline, but was cleared up well by a composed Alex Hartridge. Just past the hour mark, a long ball into the space set Cardiff on the attack, George Ray made chase and hauled down Mark Harris in the box to give away a penalty. Harris then added insult to injury by stepping up and firing it into the side netting to level the scores once again. Both sides continued to plug away in the closing stages of the game with Cardiff creating the better of the chances. Their sustained pressure on the Grecian’s backline showed the versatility of Matt Taylor’s favoured five at the back formation as It allowed City to absorb pressure and breakout quickly when necessary and cause real problems on the counterattack. The game became cagey going into the final 5 minutes as neither side could find a way to unlock their opposing resolute defences. As the final whistle came at The Welsh International Sports Campus, there are some real positives to come out of the Grecian’s camp as they looked very comfortable playing against higher calibre opposition. There was some very positive moments for Exeter and City fans can be hopeful for next season if they continue to perform at this level.

Exeter City XI: Scott Brown, Jake Caprice (Key ’73), Pierce Sweeney, George Ray (Dyer ’79), Alex Hartridge, Jack Sparkes (Rowe ’79), Nigel Atangana (Dodd ’79), Archie Collins (Kite ’73), Matt Jay (Seymour ’73), Joel Randall, Sam Nombe (Brown ’73)

Subs: Harry Lee, Callum Rowe, Josh Key, Jordan Dyer, Timothee Dieng, Harry Kite, James Dodd, Ben Seymour, Jack Veale.

Cardiff City XI: Alex Smithies, Perry NG, Mark Mcguinness, Aden Flint, Curtis Nelson, Tom Davies, Will Vaulks, Gavin Whyte, James Collins, Lee Tomlin

Subs: Dillon Phillips, Rohan Luthra, Joel Bagan, Ciaron Brown, Tavio D’Almeida, Sam Bowen, Taylor Jones, James Connolly, Marlon Pack, Oliver Denham, Keenan Patten, Ryan Giles

27th July 2021
Exeter City v Bristol City 

James Crawley writes for Bristol City!
A superb strike from Ádám Nagy helped City to a 4-0 win over Exeter City.

31st July 2021
Exeter City v Shrewsbury

Exeter City's only pre-season match at St James Park ended in defeat as they were beaten 2-0 by League One side Shrewsbury Town.

Two goals inside the opening ten minutes of the game from Daniel Udoh settled the contest, despite the Grecians having great chances during the game. With the new pitch watered and ready to go, this match was set to offer final preparation for both teams ahead of the big kick off next week. City would start brightly, neat interchange on the home side’s right found a crossing chance for Josh Key. With Nombe controlling the delivery on his chest, he let fly on the volley and produced a stunning one handed stop from Shrews’ Keeper Marco Marosi. That moment of brilliance spurred the Shropshire side into life. Former Grecian Ryan Bowman outmuscled the City backline and his ball across the goal was diverted in by Udoh for the lead. Bowman and Udoh were now causing problems with increasing regularity. Dawson made an instinctive stop from Bowman at close range but, as the ball was recycled, Udoh, who may have had some fortune with his first goal, made no mistake by drilling home a second. The game became a battleground in midfield, both sides trying to keep patience in building attacking play. However, City were to nearly pay the price for a lack of care in possession, with the ball won back by Shrewsbury, only an excellent sliding clearance prevented the counter giving Steve Cotterill’s team a three goal advantage. After a period of the Shrews playing keep ball in defensive areas, City responded. Joel Randall and Tim Dieng linked in midfield before the French midfielder played in Jevani Brown. Brown rounded Marosi before a brilliant defensive header cleared the chance off the line. Despite a largely dominant first half from the visitors, City were now growing into the game. Jevani Brown was again the architect, winning the ball wide, before a driving run at goal saw Marosi push away his low effort. Josh Key was to go closest to getting City back into the game. Jevani Brown found space centrally, his turn and pass put Key in on goal, but Marosi denied the scoring opportunity as he was swiftly off his line. Joel Randall forced another save as the half came to an end, attackers certainly on top in the first forty five minutes. With plenty of goalmouth action, Matt Taylor will have been ruing missed opportunities as City headed into the break two goals behind. After ending the first half well, City maintained that tempo at the beginning of the second. Moving the ball around in good areas, it was now a case of patiently looking to create that big chance. Both sides were having long spells keeping the ball, but the play was largely in territories that were not going to cause either defence many issues as the game fell into a more typical pre season fixture. City were to create a moment of quality with fifteen minutes remaining. Dieng and Brown made the crossing opportunity for Sparkes, and his back post delivery was just beyond Nombe, his header wide of the target as he stretched to make contact. City were now trying to build a big finish. Nombe created his own shooting opportunity, this time the ball blocked for a corner, before Ben Seymour’s header failed to have the required power on it to trouble Marosi from another wide delivery. After an action filled first half, the second half did not quite deliver the same entertainment, yet Matt Taylor’s City were equal to their higher level opponents after weathering a difficult opening to the game. As the players left the field in an empty stadium full of echoes, we are now only a week away from SJP having a very different, more energetic and boisterous feel to it.

Starting line up: Dawson, Sparkes, Ray, Sweeney, Grounds (Rowe,) Key, Atangana, Collins (Dieng/Kite,) Brown (Dodd,) Randall (Seymour,) Nombe

3rd August 2021
Truro City v Exeter City

A youthful Exeter City side  signed off pre-season with a narrow 1-0 defeat against Truro at Bolitho Park on Tuesday night.

Exeter came into the encounter having won three of their previous six pre-season games, and were eager to gain positive forward momentum ahead of the season proper this weekend. 

City Manager Matt Taylor made three changes from the 2-0 defeat to Shrewsbury on Saturday afternoon, with Jonathan Grounds joining Tim Dieng and a trialist in a slightly more experienced but still very youthful side gaining more valuable minutes in the game taking place at the home of Plymouth Parkway. It was a competitive start to the game, with Truro’s trialist getting a couple of efforts off in the opening twenty minutes, and Exeter’s Ben Seymour looking dangerous up top. The latter found the net, but not before the offside flag had gone against him. But it was Truro who took the lead midway through the first half, Tyler Harvey cutting in and lashing an effort past Harry Lee from 25 yards. Harvey scored three goals last season in Truro’s curtailed league season, after scoring over 20 the season before, and he was on fine form tonight. The experienced striker looked busy all night long, constantly proving a physical, tough challenge for Exeter’s young defenders. Exeter came close thereafter, dominating the possession and nearly finding the net through Tim Dieng and James Todd, both seeing efforts sail narrowly off target. Harry Kite then saw a low effort stopped by Truro keeper James Hammon. Truro defender Ed Palmer then lashed a long-ranged effort wide of the mark. The second half tailed off slightly, but both sides still managed to find gaps in behind, with James Dodd seeing a shot blocked at one end, before Tyler Harvey’s close-ranged effort was charged down by Harry Lee. Callum Rowe then skinned two Truro defenders, before going for glory, seeing his outside-footed effort going wide.

Toby Neville was later forced to exit the fray shortly after coming on after picking up a knock, while James Dodd took a couple of knocks in both the first and second half, requiring treatment late on as the game began to dry up. Exeter continued to dominate possession, but ultimately an inexperienced Grecians side narrowly fell short. Exeter loanee Cheick Diabate enjoyed a fabulous game over the course of the game, competing excellently with Ben Seymour up top and commanding his defence well. Jake Caprice and James Dodd both put in a marvelous effort, persistently and energetically troubling Truro, passing well and creating a handful of opportunities which, on another more yielding night, might have led to a goal. Youngster Toby Neville slotted in to a busy Exeter back-five very comfortably before he was forced to come back off, showing more promise from Exeter’s bright youngsters. He was replaced with a quarter of an hour to go by another academy product – Mitch Beardmore. Though we were unable to glimpse much of the starlet sporting a Foden trim, he displayed his potentially prodigious talent with some silky skill and excellent work rate.

Exeter City XI: Lee; Caprice, Dyer, Grounds, Rowe, Johnson; Kite, Trialist, Dieng, Dodd; Seymour