Demetri Mitchell marked his return after a year out by scoring the winning goal against Bristol Rovers that secured top spot for the Grecians in their Bristol Street Motors Trophy group.
In an exhilarating game in the competitions final pool match, Mitchell poked home with two minutes to go as Gary Caldwell’s half-time changes made the difference one again. Jay Bird had scored his first Grecian goal before Connor Taylor levelled, before Milli Alli’s easy finish was cancelled out by Isaac Hutchinson.
Manager Gary Caldwell made nine changes from City’s league defeat at Huddersfield on Saturday, with Jack Fitzwater captaining the side and 1931 Fund player Jay Bird leaning the line for the Grecians. Most notably however, Mitchell was named in an Exeter City for the first time in 364 days as he returned from his ACL injury suffered in a Carabao Cup tie against Middlesbrough on Halloween last year. Vincent Harper also made the bench – his first appearance since mid-August.
First Half
It was a difficult start to the game for the much-changed Grecians as the Gas, who had selected a team stronger than expected, dominated the early possession – the hom e side camped in the City half for most of the opening ten minutes. Niggly free-kicks were conceded by Caldwell’s side, who struggled to find a flow to their game.
Despite their foothold on the game, the hosts did not register until 15 minutes in, when a pot shot from Luke McCormick on the edge of the box bounced wide.
Undeterred by Rovers early dominance, it was the Grecians who pounced with their first real attack of the game. Mustapha Carayol burst down the left hand side with purpose and delivered a teasing cross into the six yard box which was missed by the home defender, allowing Bird to score his first goal in red and white by simply moving into the ball almost on the line on the second attempt.
Sonny Cox was almost in for a second goal moments later after a well placed through ball by Pedro Borges, but he took one too many touches inside the area, allowing the defender to nudge him off the ball as he hit the trigger.
Rovers found a leveller a little over ten minutes later when Taylor poked home into an empty net from a few yards out, after Luke Thomas flashed a low ball to the back post.
At this point, chances were few and far between despite the two goals, with the game disrupted by a plethora of free-kicks awarded to either side that prevented any rhythm to the match. Rovers could have taken the lead though when Michael Forbes volleyed over from a corner, before Isaac Hutchinson lashed the side-netting on the angle.
Second Half
Caldwell made two changes at the break, introducing Reece Cole and Milli Alli into the mix in place of Bird and Borges, as City looked to get the goal that would secure three points in Group G.
The substitute Alli would take just three and a half minutes to do his job, as he leapt on a defensive error from the home side. Taylor, who had levelled for the hosts earlier in the game, slipped in his own box unopposed, gifting the ball to the striker who powerfully beat Josh Griffiths in the Rovers goal from around 12-yards.
The Grecians had a great chance for a third when Ed Francis delivered as peach of a corner to the back post, but the waiting Cox could only divert his header just wide, before a well-taken passing move from Shaun MacDonald’s goal-kick saw Carayol whip an effort just over.
A minute later, Alli forced Griffiths into a near-post save and he twisted and turned into the area for a fine individual chance.
City couldn’t make the most of the resulting corner, but the stoppage allowed a substitution that saw the Grecians faithful rise to their feet. Two days shy of a year out, Mitchell made his way on to the field in the spot of Carayol. Harper also returned from his lay off, taking the space of Watts.
Bristol Rovers levelled with just over 20 minutes left of normal time as Isaac Hutchinson toom aim for the far corner on the left-hand side, with his effort finding the target after sailing past everyone inside the box.
The Grecians stuck to their ways though in the hunt for a third goal. Mitchell sprayed a delightful long ball over Harper on the otherside, with the wing-back able to cut inside and fire at Griffiths, before Cox hit an effort wide moments later.
Rovers were then unable to clear a Cole free-kick, with the rebound seeing Francis denied by a home boot just yards from the whitewash. Alli was then prevented turning home Mitchell’s dangerous ball by another good late tackle from a home defender.
City finally made their dominance count, and it was to be a goal scorer we had all been waiting for. Mitchell would turn out to be the man that would win the game for the Grecians, marking his long awaited return with a bang. Harper made moves on the right hand side before cutting inside, where his ball caught the Rovers defence napping. Alert at the back stick though was Mitchell, who smashed the ball home.
Oh Demi, it’s a joy to have you back.
City saw out the final few minutes with ease to top Group G, and ensure that the Grecians will play at home in the knockout rounds when the draw for the next round of the competition is made.
Exeter City are next in action on Saturday, hosting Barnet in the first round of the FA Cup at 3pm.
Bristol Rovers XI: Griffiths (GK), Sousa (Moore), Thomas, Garrett, Taylor, Martin (Sotiriou), Hutchinson, McCormick, Forbes, Bilongo, (Forde).
Subs: Hall, Anthony, Lawrence, Dewsbury.
Goals: Taylor 31’, Hutchinson 69’
Bookings: Bilongo
Exeter City XI: MacDonald (GK), Watts (Harper) Fitzwater, James, Purrington (Oakes), Carayol (Mitchell), Borges (Cole), Francis, Richards, Cox, Bird (Alli).
Subs: Whitworth, Cummins.
Goals: Bird 19’,Alli 49’, Mitchell 88’
Bookings: Watts, Francis
Referee: Matthew Russell
Attendance: 1,257 (322 away)