Lee backs talented dressing room to use victory as a catalyst for the season
Lee Holmes says Exeter City showed plenty of character at Stevenage on Saturday and urged his teammates to use the victory as a catalyst to kick-start their season.
Lee has only appeared for the Grecians three times this campaign having spent a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
However, he was back in match-winning form on Saturday as he came off the bench to open the scoring with a delightful chipped shot over Jamie Jones.
The goal came slightly against the run of play, with City being reduced to 10-men midway through the first half when Jordan Moore-Taylor was shown a straight red card for pulling back Tom Pett.
Lee said that it showed the strength of character they have in the team to bounce back from that early set-back.
Jordan Moore-Taylor heads down the tunnel having been shown a straight red card
“It was an unbelievable game for us,” said Lee. “For us to go down to 10 men so quickly; it was always going to be backs against the wall and I think the game swung on its head at that point.
“I think we had dominated for the first 10 to 15 minutes and then we had the sending off and it spun.
“It could have been a whole different day. We have not had a great start to the season – that is well known – but we know we have got a really good dressing room.
“It is full of really good, talented players and if we are all pulling in the right direction – similar to what happened at Stevenage – then we can beat anyone.”
Lee said it was about sticking to a gameplan once Jordan saw red.
“We knew at that point if was could stay solid then we were going to get some chances and the manager said that at half-time and it happened,” said Lee.
“We were solid, we were resilient and we managed to manufacture a couple of opportunities and when those opportunities came we needed to score and we did.
“It is one of those days where there is a great feeling in the dressing room because to be able to do that is tough. It needs to be a real plus and a catalyst for us to move forward now.”
Speaking about his goal Lee, added: “I remember getting a little touch through the lad’s legs and getting in on the keeper. The angle was quite tight so it was difficult to hit it with my left foot.
I thought the best opportunity would be to dink it over the keeper and thankfully Jonah (Jamie Jones) has gone down and it has gone in. I’m really pleased with the goal and excited that we have got the win.”