Exeter City’s pre-season schedule kicked-off with a 2-1 defeat to Tiverton Town at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium.
Two debutants scored in two minutes for the hosts as Tom Purrington and Joe O'Loughlin converted before Jevani Brown scored with the last kick of the game.
The kick-off time was delayed by 15 minutes due to havoc on the Motorway as the Grecians named three teams that would play over the 90 minutes.
The City team playing the first third was a blend of youth and experience and in true pre-season style, City’s Jack Arthur played in goal for Tivvy as their number one is currently on holiday… to add to that, the Grecians lined-up without any numbers on their shirts.
After a banging set from Tiverton’s resident DJ, it felt more like Ibiza than mid Devon, the Ian Moorcroft Stadium truly is the place to be on a Friday night!
City started on the front foot, moving the ball quickly and the lively Iseguan, who had a productive spell at Tiverton last season would win the first corner of the night, which was well defended by the Yellows.
The first true effort of the night would fall to the feet of midfielder Borges, who hit an effort low but wide of the goal from thirty yards.
At the other end, Tivvy went close to opening the scoring as defender O’Loughlin drilled a fierce effort wide of the post from the edge of the box.
The Grecians should have taken the lead of fifteen as Hartridge worked hard down the left to get a cross in which Billington connected but his effort was comfortable for Arthur.
Sam Nombe powered through the midfield and sent a ball through to Sonny Cox who pulled a strong save out of Arthur, moments later Tim Dieng found space in the box but uncharacteristically sliced the ball wide.
Former Grecian Louis Morison came close to breaking the deadlock as his wide free-kick sailed through the penalty area and just wide of Harry Lee’s dive.
After thirty minutes, team two took to the field made up of City’s promising under-18s, with Harry Lee remaining in goal.
The deadlock was almost broken and it would have been a wondergoal from Alfie Clark, as he won a strong challenge in his own half, marauding through midfield, beating a couple challenges before he drilled a shot wide from just outside the box.
Minutes later another strong run from Joe Wragg saw him move just inside the box before his shot took a deflection taking it just over the bar.
Team two returned to the pitch for the first fifteen of the second half and Tiverton would strike first as Tom Purrington on his debut picked up the ball in midfield before driving forward and sending a low shot into the bottom corner.
One would quickly become two. A 50/50 challenge in the middle of the park from Daniels fell kindly for Tiverton and Joe O’Loughlin, another debutant made no mistake in drilling the ball under Harry Lee to make it 2-0 after 56 minutes.
A more experienced team, led by captain Matt Jay came on for the final thirty minutes and were quickly on the attack, City missing the chance to pull one back as Archie Collins’ corner sailed through the six-yard box untouched.
Jevani Brown found himself in space inside the box, twisting and turning he dug out a cross, which was well defended before Josh Coley fired towards goal, but his shot was well blocked.
Minutes later Jevani Brown fired against the crossbar with a superb effort as City really put on the pressure.
Tiverton almost put the game to bed on 72 as Louis Morison whipped a fantastic free kick towards the corner from just outside the box, but Harry Lee got fingertips to it to pull out a great save.
Jevani Brown would score with the last kick of the game as he converted Matt Jay's pull back from the touchline to make it 2-1, but the match was all about getting minutes under the belt.
The Grecians are next in action on Tuesday night as pre-season continues at the Optima Stadium against Weston-Super-Mare AFC in a 7:45pm kick-off, you can find the details here.
Team 1: Harry Lee; Josh Key, Harrison King, Alfie Pond, Alex Hartridge, Nelson Iseguan, Gabe Billington, Pedro Borges, Tim Dieng, Sonny Cox, Sam Nombe
Team 2: Harry Lee; Aamir Daniels, Ed James, Sam Joce, Max Edgecombe, Joe O’Connor, Tom Dean, Joe Wragg, Alfie Cunningham, Alfie Clark, George Spencer
Team 3: Harry Lee, Jake Caprice, Cheick Diabate, Jonathan Grounds, Alfie Pond, Jack Sparkes, Harry Kite, Josh Coley, Archie Collins, Jevani Brwown, Matt Jay
Tiverton Town: Arthur, Lam, O’Loughlin, Down, Richards, J.Jones, Morison, Purrington, Vowle, Thompson, Woodman
Subs: Belsten, D. Jones, Parramore, Warren, Aams, McCue, Heon Jin, Woodman, Saunders