Exeter City Under-18s suffered a 2-0 defeat against Plymouth Argyle at the Cliff Hill Training Ground on Saturday morning, with a goal in each half sealing the result in the Devon Derby.
Heading into the fixture, Under-18s Lead Coach David Oldfield made four changes from the side beaten at Newport a week earlier. Dylan Shanahan rotated in for Dan Layer in goal, Louie Cayless returned to the midfield wearing the number eight shirt, Callum Graham made his first start in over a month, and Kieran Wilson led the line as the team’s number nine.
Argyle had the better of the early possession, sending several long throws and chipped crosses into City's penalty area, though the Grecians’ defence dealt with the danger. Exeter remained resolute for much of the opening 20 minutes, with Wilson’s drive into the penalty area marking their first real attacking moment.
The visitors created the game’s first major chance just before the half-hour mark. Winning the ball back high up the pitch, a quick passing move found Argyle’s number nine inside the penalty area, but his first-time, side-footed effort curled just wide of Shanahan’s goal.
That chance was a warning sign, and in the 32nd minute, Argyle took the lead. A misplaced City pass was intercepted, and a Pilgrims player played the ball to Fletcher Poole on the left side of the penalty area. Poole finished deftly across Shanahan to put the visitors 1-0 up.
The second half began as a tight, cagey affair, with both teams exchanging half-chances. City won two free-kicks out wide on the left in the early stages but failed to capitalise.
Argyle’s Campbell went close with a low shot just wide of the post with 20 minutes to play, but the teams largely cancelled each other out until the Pilgrims struck late to seal the victory.
With one minute of normal time remaining, Fisher played in Argyle’s number 15 down the left, and his low cross into the box found Sam Lord, who poked the ball home to make it 2-0.
A disappointing afternoon for the Grecians, who now turn their attention to an away trip to Oxford United next week.
Exeter City Under-18s: Shanahan, Cartwright, Anthony, Cavendish (C), Aston, Alsop, Cayless, Swift, Graham, Bellotti, Wilson.
Substitutes: Layer (GK), Bown, Rickhuss, Baker, Lang.