Player-coach reacts to Under-21s win
UNDER-21S COACH DANNY BUTTERFIELD hailed a clinical performance by the young Grecians after they put Southend United to the sword with a 6-0 thrashing at St James Park on Monday evening.Braces from Ollie Watkins and Matt Jay were added to by a header from Jordan Moore Taylor and a Jamie Reid penalty as the Grecians were resounding winners, booking their place in the Second Qualifying Round of the Under-21 Premier League Cup in the process.
"I don't think that we could have put in a much more clinical performance," Danny said. "There were some chances that we didn't take, but I can't ask any more of the lads. I thought that we looked a threat all night, and we had a dull twenty minutes at the start of the second half, but we still looked a threat on the break. I'm delighted that the lads could showcase themselves on a night like that in front of their manager.
"After tonight's performance, the players can only go home with credit. This result, and the threat of us scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, has been evident throughout the start of the season. I'm happy that that's continued, and I've told the boys that the standards need to remain the same for them to get closer to the first team, so the manager can bring them to the level where they're pushing the boys already in the team.
"I said before the game that Jamie Reid was our designated penalty-taker, and I was still adamant that that was the case whether or not Ollie was on a hat-trick. I think it was important that Jamie took the penalty, and he's fully deserved it, because he played well as well."