Exeter City U18s progressed to the second round of the FA Youth with a 2-0 win over Bridgwater United U18s at the Park.
A strong first half attacking performance was rewarded with a goal on the cusp of half-time through an own goal, before the ever-threatening Liam Oakes fired home from inside the box in the second-half to give the Grecians a comfortable win.
Lead Coach Nicky Ajose made two changes from the U18s defeat against Bristol Rovers, with Jake Richards and Harry Appleton replacing Louis Cayless and Kieran Wilson.
First half
City started brightly with some slick passing leading to Jake Richards picking up the ball on the edge of the box. He turned to find space and fired a shot towards the top corner which was thwarted by a fine save from Charlie Hopkins in the Robins’ net.
Just two minutes later City had a chance from a free-kick which was won by George Birch 30-yards from goal. Richards stepped up and struck a fierce effort which was palmed away, and Harry Appleton couldn’t keep the rebound down.
City kept the pressure on in the first ten minutes. Theo Cutler taking a fantastic touch on the edge of the box to make space before fizzing an effort over the bar.
Liam Oakes was next to test Hopkins as he cut inside and curled a shot from just outside the box, but it was another fantastic diving stop by the Robins No.1.
At the other end a nicely worked move by the Robins looked to have broken the offside trap but a late flag from the linesman thwarted their move.
City’s kept on the pressure and almost took the lead after half-hour. Theo Cutler trapped the ball in the box before making space to send a ball across the six-yard box, it took a deflection and squirmed out for a corner.
Liam Oakes couldn’t have come closer to breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute as he rattled the crossbar with a stonker of a drive from 25-yards.
Finally City got the goal that their pressure deserved through great work from Harry Appleton down the left. He drove towards the six-yard box before firing a low cross which took a wicked deflection and crawled over the line to give City the lead just before the half-time whistle blew.
Second half
City started the second half on the front foot, forcing an early corner, which was punched away by Hopkins, before the Robins launched a counter attack which ended with Shanahan claiming a decent delivery.
The young Grecians continued to pepper the Robins goal with shots from distance, this time George Birch let fly from 25-yards, but his effort sailed over the bar and into the Big Bank.
It only took ten minutes for City to double their lead, and it was a deserved goal for Liam Oakes who had constantly tested the Robins defence. This time he was found inside the box and with a little shimmy made space for himself before lashing home to make it 2-0.
City had the chance to make it three just before the hour as a square ball found Theo Cutler inside the box, but his effort was expertly blocked by Ryan Willis.
On 80 minutes City really should have made it three. Appleton again running at the Robins defence before cutting inside and shooting off the base of the post. Hodgetts was first to the rebound, but a host of bodies cleared the goal-bound shot.
A strong night's work was rewarded with City advancing to the second round of the FA Youth Cup. Good night all!
The U18s are in Devon Derby action this Saturday, heading down the A38 to take on Plymouth Argyle in EFL Youth Alliance South action, 11am.
Exeter City XI: Shanahan, Oakes (Rickhuss ’73), Anthony, Cavandish (Bellotti ’73), Cartwright, Hodgetts Richards, Birch (Aston ’73), Graham, Appleton, Cutler (Baker ’81)
Subs not used: Down
Goals: OG ’45, Oakes ‘55
Bridgwater United XI: Hopkins, Scott, Willis, Dabrowski, Lowe, Jenkins, Hopwood, Townsend, Worth, Rozalski, Hansford
Subs: Cussans, Cox, Berry, Whittaker, Priestley, Johnson
Attendance: 269