Captain gives verdict on victory over Wycombe
Following a 2-1 victory at St James Park against Wycombe Wanderers, Grecians captain Scot Bennett admitted that there weren’t many better feelings than a match-winning goal against the league leaders.The ex-Academy man played in defence during the first half, before switching to attack after the break and then sitting deeper in the closing stages.
City had trailed to a Peter Murphy header before David Wheeler equalised with his second of the season, and Scot hammered in from close-range on the hour-mark for what proved the match-winner.
Bennett had put in a superb goal-line interception in the first period to prevent Joe Jacobson putting the Chairboys back in front, but he admitted that the sensation of seeing the net bulge just about edged it in terms of enjoyment.
“It’s always enjoyable to get on the scoresheet, especially when it’s against the league leaders and to get the three points,” said Scot.
“We pressed high in the second half and tried to put their back four under a lot of pressure and I think that worked well. Tis said at half-time that he wanted to change the shape a little bit and press on, and I think that was the right idea.
“As a defender you don’t get to put the ball in the back of the net as much, so you enjoy the simple things such as blocking things on the line or putting in a big tackle.
“Then again, when you go up front and get on the end of a free-kick and put it in the back of the net, there’s no better feeling than that.
“And the crowd were brilliant again – that helped us and we pushed on and managed to get the win.”
Scot’s goal came from a free-kick that he himself won high up the field, as Aaron Pierre mistimed a tackle on the 23-year-old.
It was Matt Grimes that sent in a free-kick that was practically undefendable, allowing Graham Cummins to attack the ball. Matt Ingram did well to make a sprawling save from the striker, but he was powerless to Bennett’s follow-up which gave City the lead.
He was also pleased that the Grecians are showing that they are able to mix it with the tougher teams in the division as well.
“Grimesy is out on the training field every day practicing his free-kicks and you know now where the ball is going to go,” Bennett continued. “He always puts it in the right areas so it’s then down to us to get on the end of it.
“With the goal, me and Graham decided I was going to try and block his man and it worked out well. He got the first head and the ball happened to fall three yards from me, so I’ve gone in on it and managed to put it in the back of the net.
“We’re practicing these things in training so hopefully they will keep working for us.”
“Wycombe are one of the teams that can try to bully you a little bit but they can also play football. To mix it with them and come out on top is brilliant.
“We’re starting to show that we can do both sides. We’ve got the footballing ability and we can start mixing that with the physical side now, which is something we’ve maybe not had in the last couple of years.”
City’s squad didn’t see too many additions during the summer – Alex Nicholls came and went on loan from Northampton Town, while David Noble is also on loan from Oldham Athletic.
Scot has been particularly impressed with the two permanent additions in the form of Christian Ribeiro and Graham Cummins, who between them have already racked up 22 appearances and five goals for the Grecians.
Scot continued: “I think they’ve both been absolutely brilliant. They’ve come in and haven’t looked out of place and the boys have welcomed them in.
“Ribs is on fire at the minute – he’s a real athlete going up and down that flank and people just can’t live with him.
“And Graham’s goals have helped us massively. He puts the back four under so much pressure with the runs that he makes, and he helps us out in defence as well. That’s always a big thing with a striker – if they can help in defence as well as scoring goals, you’re onto something.”