PARK REPORT:
THE VIEWS OF ANTONY MOXEY

Saturday 10th February 2007

NATIONWIDE CONFERENCE

EXETER CITY 1 WOKING 0

So City continue their recent good form with a hard fought 1-0 win over Woking on a damp and swirly day at the Park in front of an appreciative 3363 crowd. It was City who started the game the brightest, and in the fifth minute Phillips signalled City's intent to not give Woking a minute's rest by charging down a woefully underhit back pass that unfortunately for him ex-Grecian James Bittner in the opposition goal did well to smother. Although another chance didn't come until fifteen minutes later, it was City who dominated possession and kept the play in the Woking half. The chance that did come was a corker though - Billy Jones flighting in a 30-yard free kick to the far post where Challinor rose magnificently to butt firmly towards the top corner before recoiling in horror as Bittner somehow clawed the ball away. From the resulting corner Challinor was involved eventually collecting the ball towards the edge of the box before shovelling it back to Carlisle lurking deep who fired low and hard into the keeper's midriff.

Midway through the half City had another great chance to break the deadlock when Jones and Elam played a crisp one-two on the half way line to send Jones scampering down the left touchline. His deliciously evil outswinging low cross would have had TV pundits purring, but unfortunately whilst being undefendable it also evade the outstretched boots of both Phillips and Challinor lunging in at the far post.

Despite the near one way traffic and massive dollops of controlled possession, City nearly fell to a sucker punch shortly after when an attacker broke into the box trailing three City defenders in his wake before laying the ball off for a compatriot to skim the top of the crossbar from ten yards out with Jones nowhere. But normal service was resumed on the half hour when Elam collected on the edge of the Woking box before cleverly setting up Phillips who crashed a monster drive high and wide when he really ought to have done better.

All too soon a pulsating first half was brought to a close, and it was no surprise that City were first to emerge from the dressing room, keen to keep up the momentum of the first half. Straight away they were on the attack with Phillips chasing a long punt downfield and beating Bittner to it on the edge of the box. His towering header didn't have enough on it to prevent it either sticking in the mud of the Woking goalmouth or the frantic scrambling of a couple of defenders who managed to hack the ball away to safety. Sadly, although Phillips was first to the ball he couldn't prevent a sickening collision with the equally determined Bittner, and was left lying on the floor clutching the back of his thigh (not hamstring) in agony. His eventual departure via a stretcher signalled he'd play no further part in the game, and thus Jamie Mackie was introduced into the fray.

With less than ten minutes played it was Mackie who set up the opening goal by chasing a long clearance and giving the keeper no time to settle. Bittner only succeeded in scuffing a hurried ball from the edge of his area straight to
Challinor lurking centrally 35 yards out. In one single movement he looked up and smashed a stunning drive high into the empty net with some authority to give City the 1-0 lead that they so richly deserved.

City sensed more and pressed on, eager to find that nerve-calming second goal, and on 20 minutes almost got it when Elam and Jones again combined down the left before Jones burst into the box to lift a first time outside of the boot dink over the keeper and unfortunately crossbar as well.

Further good work ten minutes later should have bought further reward. After some sustained pressure down the left the ball wasn't cleared with any conviction, and so while the defender dallied on the edge of his six yard box, Challinor nipped in unsighted from behind to nick the ball away. As he moved away from goal looking to lay the ball off to a team mate, the defender tried to make up for his sluggishness by clearing properly this time, but only succeeded in going through the back of Challinor and sending him crashing to the turf. A clear penalty then, but bafflingly not in the eyes of the referee and so it was play on.

And play on they did, with Mackie and Challinor fashioning a chance for Challinor to blast goalwards from ten yards out wide to the right. His shot took a wicked deflection in the opposite direction to the keeper's dive, but unfortunately flashed the wrong side of the post and into the side netting.

With eight minutes left City were almost left to pay for not turning possession into goals when a Woking forward broke from deep to rush through on Jones' goal. Standing up and staying big, he made the attacker's mind up for him and plunged low to his right to parry a powerful 20 yard drive. A fellow attacker followed up and gleefully smashed the rebound towards the goal, but Jones, from prone on the floor, stretched out a hand to deny Woking a cruel equaliser with one of the most stunning double saves probably ever seen at the Park.

There was still time for more action though, and immediately Mackie burst through from the half way line for a one on one with the keeper. As with Jones, Bittner stayed big and came out to block Mackie's shot on the edge of the box, but after the miraculous Jones save at the other end, there was no way City would not collect a sixth win in nine games despite a nervy (yet ironically comfortable) five minutes of stoppage time. There was also time for Richard Logan to make his home debut when given a ten minute run out for Challinor who departed to a tumultuous ovation.

But what a wonderful game of football and a wonderful performance from City. From first whistle to last every single player gave their all with determination and a burning desire not to allow the opposition any time on the ball or to settle into any sort of rhythm.

Recent good performances - three wins in the last four games with the only defeat being at runaway leaders Dagenham - have been noted by appreciative supporters, and they would have enjoyed what they saw today.

These are exciting times for City, with at times quite breathtaking football. How could you even dream of doing something other than cheering on the lads - they're doing it for you, you do it for them. But you were going to anyway, weren't you?

Match Details 

Exeter City 1 Woking 0.
Saturday 10 February 2007.

Exeter: Paul Jones, Tully, Todd, Edwards, Billy Jones, Elam, Buckle, Gill, Carlisle, Challinor (Logan 83), Phillips (Mackie 49).

Subs Not Used: Rice, Cozic, Richardson.

Booked: Phillips.

Goals: Challinor 53.

Woking: Bittner, Gier, Murray, Osano, Bunce (Marum 87), Lambu (Berquez 46), Smith, Barrett, Green, Taylor, McAllister.
Subs Not Used: Gindre, Jackson, Cockerill.

Booked: Osano.

Attendance 3,363.

Referee D Phillips (West Midlands).