Wycombe 1 Exeter 1.

League Two 

Boxing Day:- Friday 26 December 2008.

Grecians on the Road by Jim Shepherd 

A buoyant Exeter City side went into this match on the back of a convincing 4-1 victory over fellow high-fliers Rochdale, but this had to be seen as Paul Tisdale's side's toughest test of the season to date. City not only earned a point away at runaway leaders Wycombe, but even that could be thought to be disappointing not to come away with a win, speaks volumes for the credentials of the Grecians this season as a serious challenger, not just for the playoffs, but for automatic promotion, Despite his brace against Rochdale, Steve Basham was the odd man out as Tisdale decided to utilise his 4-3-3/ 4-5-1 formation. The fit-again Marcus Stewart took Basham's place. So the line-up was: Jones in goal, Moxey and Tully the full-backs, Edwards and Seabome in the middle; The midfield trio was Gill, Panther and Harley, with Saunders and Stewart out wide and Adam Stansfield through the middle. On the bench were Marriott, Murray, Basham, McAllister and Sercombe. The game was barely five minutes old when Matt Harrold burst into the City box, and lost control of the ball. As it headed out for a goal kick, the referee felt there was contact between Harrold and Danny Seaborne and awarded a penalty. Harrold picked himself up and sent Paul Jones the wrong way with the spot kick. City had been slow out of the traps prior to the goal, and were still second best for a spell afterwards. While Wycombe sprayed the ball around with a confidence befitting their lofty status, Exeter resorted to hopeful punts upfield that the well-drilled home defence dealt with comfortably. However, for all their possession, Wycombe failed to test Jones bar a few crosses that the City custodian dealt with comfortably Midway through the half, the Grecians finally created a chance and, out of keeping with the passing of both sides, this was an archetypal route one job. Jones claimed a cross and, seeing the Wycombe defence pushed up, launched a long ball up the middle of the pitch. Adam Stansfield was just beaten to the punch, but the ball fell to Marcus Stewart whose rasping drive went over. City appeared galvanised by now and, helped by a fantastic cacophony of noise from the visiting support, began to impose themselves on the game. Chances remained at a premium, but one effort in particular should have yielded an equaliser. Stewart hung a cross over from the left, Stansfield challenged and the ball fell to Ryan Harley. With the keeper advancing Harley slotted past him, only for a defender to make a remarkable clearance at the last secondThis would prove to be the last good chance of an enthralling first period. The second half once again saw City signal their intent, switching to 4-4-2 and pressing forward at every opportunity while Wycombe failed to create any decent opportunities to kill off the game. On 54 minutes Tisdale decided to make a change, bringing on "Supersub" Craig McAllister for the out of sorts Stansfield. The impact was, as in previous matches, almost immediate. City forced a throw on the left. For the first time in the match, Matt Gill decided to utilise his long throw, causing chaos in the box as McAllister's presence made sure the ball bounced and eluded everyone. With his back to goal, Leon Johnson tried to hook the ball clear, only for the ball to rebound off the barrel chest of Manny Panther and into the roof of the net. While the manner of the finish was fortunate, praise is due to Panther for gambling on the ball reaching the far post-something City have often been slightly negligent about City sensed blood, and continued to push forward looking for a win.
McAllister running riot, while Panther had a shot deflected wide as he bore down on the boxMcAllister latched on to a through-ball but couldn't keep his half-volley down. With the game opening up, though, Wycombe also pushed hard to regain the advantage- Phillips slipped at a vital moment as he approached the boxThe biggest scare for City came directly from a comer-Balanta took the comer and Jones, under a lot of pressure. fumbledThe Wycombe fans urged the Ref to give a goal, but he and the linesman decided the ball hadn't crossed the line.Midfielder (and Wycombe Man of the Match) Tom Doherty should have done better with a header, instead directing it feebly at Jones, before he and Marcus Stewart were embroiled in a bout of handbags right at the death-the referee getting his book out for both protagonists. So, a 1-1 draw a result most if not all City fans would have taken beforehand. The entertainment on show was as free-flowing as anything you would find at much higher levels, both sides proving themselves a credit. For all those Premiership fans who scoff at the quality of play in the basement division, a copy of this match should be forcibly shown to demonstrate what happens when two honest "Footballing" sides go toe-to-toe. Wycombe and City went after the result from the off, and the aesthetic impact was a joy. The last wordthough, is entirely positive. Much has been made of City's support (although more debated with reference to home matches), but it was an honour and privilege to be a part of a memorable atmosphere. Right from the off there was a large and vocal support for the side, unstinting in its desire to get behind CityThis seemed to have a positive effect on the teamwho turned in a performance matching in effort that of those behind the goal.

BBC match summary & information 

Manny Panther scored a bizarre goal to earn Exeter a point at League Two leaders Wycombe. The midfielder did not know a lot about his 57th-minute goal as Leon Johnson's clearance hit him in the chest and flew past Scott Shearer into the net. Matt Harrold had put the Chairboys into an early lead from the penalty spot after being fouled by Danny Seaborne. Angelo Balanta's corner seemed to cross the line but City keeper Paul Jones clawed clear and Exeter held on.

Wycombe: Shearer, Hunt (Mousinho 49), McCracken, Johnson, Woodman, Phillips (Ashton 84), Doherty, Holt, Bloomfield (Spence 64), Balanta, Harrold. 

Subs Not Used: Young, Vieira.

Booked: Balanta, Doherty.

Goals: Harrold 6 pen.

Exeter: Jones, Tully, Seaborne, Edwards, Moxey, Gill, Panther, Harley, Saunders, Stansfield (McAllister 54), Stewart.

Subs Not Used: Marriott, Murray, Basham, Sercombe.

Booked: McAllister , Stewart.

Goals: Panther 57.

Referee Gavin Ward (Surrey).

Attendance 6,094 with 686 away fans