City end 2015 in victory
EXETER CITY'S Under-18s will go into their Christmas break in high spirits following their 1-0 victory over Yeovil Town last Saturday.
Frank Rosenwald scored the only goal of the game in a contest that tested the resolve of the young Grecians in all aspects of their set-up.
Under-18s coach Lee Skyrme made several changes to his starting line-up, however that didn't disrupt any rhythm in City's play, as they started bright and took the game to the hosts.
Exeter's play proved to be too good for Town, as they moved the ball around with consummate ease looking for the crucial first goal.
The Devon outfit played their way out of their defensive third smartly, and used that possession to initiate attacks, but they were wasteful as they failed to capitalise on their authority on the match.
It meant that at half-time, the score remained 0-0, which left Skyrme hoping his side weren't going to pay for their spurned opportunities.
The Glovers started the second period the better, and came right back into the game. With Yeovil stepping up their performance levels, it meant the away team worked hard to keep the ball, but they still created decent chances, though they weren't to take advantage of the one-on-one chance that fell their way when the scoreline remained goalless.
However, on fifty-five minutes the Grecians did take the lead through the in-form Frank Rosenwald. Scott Merritt received the ball in midfield following patient build-up play. The centre-midfielder played a superb through-pass to his striker, before Rosenwald finished coolly past the goalkeeper to give his side the lead.
The goal sparked Yeovil into life, and they began testing Lewis Williams in the City goal far more often. Williams saved well to deny the home side from distance, as they also began bombarding the Exeter box with crosses too.
However the defence and goalkeeper stood firm, and did well to preserve their clean sheet, leaving Lee Skyrme and his men coming away from Somerset with all three points.
Exeter City Under-18s Coach, Lee Skyrme: "It was a game of two halves. We played really well in the first half, but they were much better in the second.
"I was disappointed we weren't leading at half-time, as it gives a different complexion to the game. Changes may be made because of a goal but we failed to capitalise on our chances. We nearly rued that, but even in the second half we had scoring opportunities.
"The players learnt a really good lesson from the game. We needed to adjust our game, because over the course of a ninety-minute match, changes will be made from your opponents, and it's up to the guys on the pitch to adapt to those alterations. Ultimately I think the players did well and came off the pitch better players for it."
Exeter City Under-18s: Lewis Williams, Max Gillard, Toby Down, Jordan Storey, Alex Hartridge, Jamie Harkness, Scott Merritt, Will Richards, Archie Collins, Ben Seymour, Frank Rosenwald.
Subs: Brandon Green, Cameron Hargreaves, Nick Grimes, Max Smallcombe, Steve Rogers.