Glovers prosper against 10-man City
Exeter City lost out to Somerset side Yeovil Town by finishing on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline, in a game that was played in a competitive spirit.
Unfortunately that feisty mood boiled over at one point – the result of which was a red card for Tommy Doherty, who clashed with Ed Upson in the centre of the park.
City were already trailing at that time, as Upson had found the net as early as the second minute when teed up outside the area.
A man light, Exeter did equalise late in the game when Matt Grimes found the net for the first time since earning his pro contract in the summer.
However a thunderous strike just minutes later by Paddy Madden gave the Glovers victory in the friendly fixture.
New Yeovil signing Alan Tate, who had joined earlier in the day from Swansea City, was immediately drafted into the Glovers’ starting XI in the left-back berth. Former Grecians captain Dan Seaborne, also recently signed by Yeovil, was at centre-half.
City named a strong starting side, with new signing Sam Parkin making his third start in pre-season.
The game got off to a lively start as Arron Davies was sent clear early on down the inside-left channel, though Marek Stech saved comfortably.
But almost immediately down the other end, the Glovers went a goal up through Upson. A troublesome cross by Yeovil wasn’t cleared adequately and allowed Luke Ayling to tee up the midfielder, who fired in from outside the area.
City might have gotten a goal back soon after when a fizzing Liam Sercombe cross had Stech scrambling backwards, and the stopper was pleased to see the ball clear the woodwork.
The hosts went on to create several other chances with some creative attacking football. Sam Foley saw a gap to dink in James Hayter, who somehow conspired to miss the target with his effort with the goal at his mercy. The linesman’s raised flag saved his blushes.
Paddy Madden then came close to doubling the arrears for City, when Craig Woodman’s crucial clearance from a dangerous cross ran straight into the path of the Town man. A curling effort missed the target by only a whisker.
Doherty’s dismissal came after a little bit of rough-and-tumble from both sides. Both sides’ midfields weren’t giving any ground in the physical battle and Doherty, who had already received a talking to, was shown a straight red after a coming together with Upson.
The Glovers had a couple more attempts at increasing their lead before half-time, but Joseph Edwards fired over the crossbar with a volley before Madden headed Kevin Dawson’s cross just wide as the referee blew for the interval.
Half-time: Yeovil Town 1 Exeter City 0
Early in the second half, Sercombe twice tried to stamp his authority on the game. His first effort flew wide of the target, whilst his second – created all by himself after a forceful gallop down the left flank – ultimately lacked power as he was muscled out at the last.
Down the other end, Madden was continuing his shoot-on-sight policy as he swivelled outside the D and lashed a left-footed effort, which only narrowly flew over the half.
Jake Gosling, on as a substitute just before the hour-mark, was unlucky to be denied by Stech as the City team forged one of their best moves of the match. After some neat build-up play in close-quarters against the right-hand touchline, Aaron Dawson swung a ball in for Gosling’s arrival at the back stick. Stech was alert to scoop round the post.
Despite the numerical disadvantage following Doherty’s dismissal, City were still trying to build attacks in the right way. Sercombe was denied when his pop-shot was deflected wide of the target.
But City were level soon enough when Matt Grimes netted his first goal as a senior player for the Grecians. Some great hold-up play by fellow sub John O’Flynn saw the midfielder teed up to shoot – and his powerful strike was too hot to handle for Stech.
The lead didn’t last long, however, as Madden finally found the target with a rasping strike. A dissecting through ball into the inside-right channel allowed him to hit a thunderbolt first time, leaving Krysiak with little chance.
The last chance of the match fell to Upson, who curled a free-kick over the bar after Myles Anderson had bundled down Michael Ngoo.
Full-time: Yeovil Town 2 Exeter City 1
Yeovil Town: Stech, Ayling, Webster (Jones 85), Seaborne, Dawson (Ngoo 76), Upson, Hayter (Grant 76), Foley (Hoskins 81), Madden, Tate, Edwards (Clifford 81).
Subs (not used): Stewart, Moore.
Goals: Upson (2), Madden (81).
Exeter City: Krysiak, Dawson, Woodman, Baldwin (Moore-Taylor 70), Coles (Anderson 70), Sercombe (Nichols 84), Bennett (Grimes 70), Doherty, Gow (Reid 57), Davies (Gosling 57 (Keohane 70)), Parkin (O’Flynn 70).
Subs (not used): Pym.
Goal: Grimes (76).
Sent off: Doherty (35).
Attendance: 1,180 (80 away).
Referee: B. Malone