Exeter City secured three points to kick-off their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign after an enthralling 2-1 win over League Two outfit Swindon Town at St James Park.
Ed Francis scored his first goal for the club, while Jack Aitchison bagged his first goal at home either side of a Joel Cotterill strike all in the space of 16 second half minutes.
Manager Gary Caldwell named a strong attacking line-up for the visit of the Wiltshire side, with four of the starters from Saturday’s 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers remaining in the side, while Liam Oakes made his second professional start. Shaun MacDonald was between the posts for his first appearance of the season, and there was a first appearance in the match day squad for summer signing Jay Bird.
First Half
Kamari Doyle, who scored a stunning free-kick on his Football League debut three days ago, was the first to show glimpses for the Grecians as Caleb Watts and Jack Aitchison exchanged intricate passes before Doyle ran onto the through ball. He couldn’t pick out the pass on the right, but it was a promising attack that set the tone for an entertaining opening period.
Doyle would then create the first real chance of the game as he picked up a loose Swindon pass on the edge of the box and dinked the ball just wide of the far post. Ed Francis would also have a flash as he intercepted on the half-way line, and with no-one in red and white ahead of him, went for the spectacular. His effort was askew with goalkeeper Daniel Barden untroubled.
Brighton loanee Doyle was the playmaker and crowd were lapping it up as he drive forward and threaded through Oakes, whose first time cross was missed by Alli before Ben Purrington forced a corner as he got a toe at the back post.
Swindon’s first chance would fall in fortunate circumstances as Purrington and Joel Cotterill went 50/50 into a challenge – the ball looping into the path of Aaron Drinan, who shanked a powerful effort wide.
City were still largely the better side and could have taken a deserved lead when – surprise, surprise – Doyle latched onto Sweeney’s ball to find Aitchison, who despite initial mis-control, turned acutely on the spot to fire an effort just wide with Barden watching on.
It was no surprise that a foul on Doyle would see the first yellow of the game as Tunmise Sobowale scythed him down, but from the resulting free-kick it was Swindon who should have taken the lead. Take a bow Oakes, who raced back with the Robins counter to block the shot from Drinan.
Back up the other end, Purrington mopped up when Alli was felled, squaring the ball from Doyle who fired an effort wide from 18-yards.
Second Half
If it was City who dominated the first half, it would be Swindon who would come out of the dressing rooms on top in the second as Kabongo Tshimanga and Danny Butterworth both gave MacDonald something to think about within a minute of each other as their powerful drives skimmed wide of the mark.
Jack Fitzwater then allowed the ball to bounce with Tshimanga bearing down, the forward winning the battle and forcing MacDonald into a crucial close-range save.
After his return from injury on Saturday, Sonny Cox was introduced in place of the lively Doyle as Caldwell handed City’s no.19 more crucial minute and it was his control of a long ball inside 30 seconds of his introduction that eventually allowed Alli an effort on goal, stinging the palms of Barden.
That swung the pendulum back in City’s favour and what would still be considered a deserved lead came midway through the second half. Purrington played a short corner to Aitchison, and Swindon failed to react to his delivery, allowing Ed Francis a clear effort inside the six yard box which he duly dispatched.
City were ahead for just three minutes though, guilty themselves of falling asleep at the back as Joel Cotterill smashed the ball low and hard from distance and past MacDonald.
Alli had a golden chance to put City ahead minutes after as the game burst into life, but he was denied Barden before manager Caldwell introduced Bird in Alli’s place for the striker’s first appearance in City colours – the 23-year-old donning the prestigious no.31 shirt.
City would retake the lead in style as Jack Aitchison registered his first ever home goal – despite it being his overall fifth for the club. From a throw, the Scot dropped the shoulder and drove forward before unleashing a stunning effort into the top corner.
On a night where One of Our Own Oakes shined with a man of the match winning performance, Louie Cayless would enter the field five minutes from time to become City’s second-youngster ever player, the 15-year-old one month younger than Ethan Ampadu, and one month older than record holder Ben Chrisene.
The Grecians would see out four minutes of additional time to seal the victory and top Group G after one round – Spurs U21 are the visitors to SJP on Tuesday, 24 September, 7pm.
The full-time whistle marked the start of an 11-day break from play for City, who are next in action on Saturday, 14 September, away to Blackpool in a 3pm kick-off.
Exeter City: MacDonald (GK), Oakes, Sweeney ©, Fitzwater, James (Cayless), Purrington, Doyle (Cox), Francis, Watts (J.Richards), Aitchison, Alli (Bird).
Substitutes: Lee (GK), Yfeko, Cox, Bird, Cummins, J.Richards, Cayless.
Goals: Francis 65’, Aitchison 81’
Swindon Town: Barden (GK), Sobowale, Wright ©, Cotterill, Cain, Kilkenny (Clarke), Freckleton (Delaney), Tshimanga (Smith), Butterworth (King), Drinan, Minturn.
Substitutes: Bycroft (GK), Glatzel, McGregor, Clarke, Delaney, Smith, King.
Goals: Cotterill 68’
Referee: Ross Martin
Attendance: 1,485 (97 away)