Grecians reserves overcome Swans in Wales
A young Exeter City XI team came from behind to win 2-1 against Swansea City’s Under-21 squad in South Wales on Monday.The Grecians’ team featured first-year pros Jason Pope, Connor Riley-Lowe and Matt Jay, as well as Under-18 midfielder Alex Byrne.
Exeter were showing plenty of composure on the ball against a talented Swans side, and created some decent openings without quite having the punch in the final third.
The Grecians were trailing at the interval – just after the midpoint of the first-half, a short-corner routine saw a ball played in which was cleared initially, but a second delivery into the area was finished at the back post.
With only the goal missing from a good performance, City continued in the same vein in the second period – and on the 70-minute mark the Grecians were back on terms as David Wheeler broke clear down the left and delivered a delightful cross for Graham Cummins to finish with a towering header.
And five minutes later the turnaround was complete as the ball broke to Ireland Under-21 international Jamie Reid on the edge of the area, and he curled a shot into the bottom corner on his right boot.
The scoreline could have been more comfortable if City had been able to convert some other openings or put in a scrambled chance from close-range, but ultimately Exeter were deserving 2-1 winners at the final whistle.
Exeter City coach Garry Haylock said: “All of the players acquitted themselves very well – sometimes it can be difficult for players that have played a lot of first-team games to continue their effort when they drop down to the reserves, but I couldn’t have asked for any more from them.
“We put in a really good, positive performance against a Premier League team that like to pass the ball. We thoroughly deserved the victory so we’re very pleased.”
Exeter City XI: Pym; Tillson, Bennett, Moore-Taylor; Dawson, Byrne (Pope 70), Keohane, Jay, Riley-Lowe (Reid 55); Wheeler, Cummins.