Skipper beaming with derby day delight
Exeter City captain Danny Coles commended the efforts of his teammates on their Devon Derby victory against local rivals Plymouth Argyle.
The Grecians put in a gutsy and intelligent display and ultimately turned out 3-1 winners. And the skipper was pleased at being able to put together the result and performance that gave the supporters the bragging rights over their neighbours for the time being.
“It was a great win for us,” said Coles. “As I’ve said before, we knew last year that our derby results weren’t right and we didn’t get the results for the supporters. We’re determined to keep getting the results this season and I think that showed.
“There was a lot of passion and fight from the boys at the crucial stages and the clinical finishing from the strikers in the second half was the difference.”
All three City goals came after the interval – as did Luke Young’s strike to bring the game to 1-1 at the time. Coles felt that an improved passing display after the break was a key component, and praised the finishes by Arron Davies, Alan Gow and Scot Bennett – all in front of the Big Bank.
“Once we start passing against teams, a lot of teams in this division will struggle to get near us,” continued the centre-half. “We open them up, and I for the goals that we scored, we did that. There were a couple of great bits of skill by Alan Gow as well for a couple of goals.
“Arron’s was in the top corner, Alan’s was in the top corner, and then Scot – to have the legs he had on that last goal, to get the ball, play the one-two, get in the box, turn the defender and reverse it on the ‘keeper – unbelievable.”
Bennett’s goal in particular capped another sublime display in an unfamiliar centre-forward’s role. His captain reserved particular praise for the makeshift man for the way he has adapted to the role, as well as praising Danny Butterfield for a great first start in a City shirt.
“Scot is very clever with his movement,” said Danny. “He gambles on things and he’s very good at bringing people into play with his hold-up play and his flicks. He flicks the ball into an area where he knows defenders don’t want to go and where our players are going to go – he’s been very clever and credit to him.
“And it goes to show the calibre of Danny – he’s had a fantastic career with a lot of appearances and I don’t think there was any doubt that he was going to slot straight in. He was fantastic today and long may that continue.”