Exeter City 1 Forest Green Rovers 0. Conference
Tuesday 15 August 2006.

Ref: R Vaughan

Att: 3527

BBC match report –

Adam Stansfield scored the only goal as Exeter gave manager Paul Tisdale his first win since taking over.

Stansfield enlivened a dour first half with the only goal five minutes before half-time, netting from six yards out.

For Forest Green, Allan Russell had a close-range header blocked and Alex Meechan saw a free-kick blocked.

But it was the home side who came closest to scoring the game`s second goal when Andrew Taylor rattled the crossbar from 18 yards.

Exeter: Rice, Woodards, Todd, Edwards, Billy Jones, Taylor, Buckle (Cozic 69), Gill, Challinor (Moxey 68), Mackie (Phillips 63), Stansfield.

Subs Not Used: Paul Jones, Richardson.

Booked: Challinor.

Goals: Stansfield 40.

Forest Green: Williams, Lawless, Preece, Butler, Nicholson, Meechan, Brough, Pitman, Clist (Griffin 66), Afful (Stonehouse 77), Russell.
Subs Not Used: Harrison, McEntegart, Beesley.

Booked: Afful.

Attendance 3,527.
Referee: R Vaughan (England)


CITY RESERVES HIT DOUBLE FIGURES

Tuesday 22nd August Cullompton

Rangers 0 Exeter City Reserves 10

Exeter City proved too strong for a very spirited Cullompton Rangers side in this friendly fixture played at Speeds Meadow, Rangers held the Grecians to a two goal advantage at the break, but could not cope with the slick passing and movement and quality finishing from their visitors in the second period. Although the Grecians had a lot of possession in the opening 45 minutes, they lacked the cutting edge against a Cullompton Rangers side still re-organising after losing their Manager six days before the start of the season. It will take time for new Rangers boss Phil Margaretts, the vastly experienced and successful Manager at Budleigh Salterton for many years, to bring in new faces and develop a successful team, but his present young squad showed there is plenty of potential.

Young apprentice Matty BYE was credited with the first goal after 16 minutes, when his in swinging cross from the left, eluded everyone to find the back of the net. The second from Chris WRIGHT in the 22nd minute, was much clearer, with a strong clinical finish from the young striker.

City stepped up the tempo in the second half, and although the goals came thick and fast, to their credit, Cullompton made their visitors work hard for every opening. Right back Patrick ADA opened his account for the club with a terrific 20 yard strike after 55 minutes, and then a Dean STAMP penalty a minute later after the lively George FRIEND was brought down.

FRIEND then scored himself in the 60 minutes, after one of his surging runs, with Chris WRIGHT completing his hat-trick in the 65th and 83rd minutes. The fast improving Dean STAMP also notching up a hattrick with clinical finishes in the 73rd and 80th minutes, and a great piece of support play from young sixteen-year-old Jake WANNELL in the 75th minute.

The City line up included a mixture of pros and apprentices, but they also took the opportunity to introduce two of the Exeter College football scholars, Jake WANNELL and Stuart DAVIES who both gave an excellent account of themselves with their performances in the second half. This was another excellent all round team performance, sprinkled with some exciting individual displays.

Exeter City team:
JONES P, ADA, SEABORNE, RICHARDSON, MARTIN, FRIEND, BYE, CLAY, HUNT, WRIGHT, STAMP. Subs: All 60th minute: SHEPHARD for FRIEND, DAVIES for CLAY, WANNELL for BYE, SERCOMBE for HUNT.