Exeter City under-18s set up an FA Youth Cup Third Round tie away to Stevenage after an assured and professional performance at home to AFC Dunstable.
The Bedfordshire side, who were in the midst of a record breaking cup run that has seen them progress to the second round for the first time ever could have proved to be potential banana skin for the Grecians, but goals from Harry Appleton, George Birch, Callum Graham and Jack Bellotti sent City safely through to the next round.
City lined up with just five starters from their previous match, several of the squad heading to Norwich City on Wednesday for the Premier League Cup fixture, which gave chances to players from the under-16s, including Appleton, Bellotti and Logan Aston.
First Half
It was a composed start for the young Grecians, who were calm in possession and brave on the ball as they carved Dunstable open inside the opening minutes – Kieran Wilson delivering a teasing cross before Graham saw his effort inside the box blocked by goalkeeper Matthew Bonsu.
Bonsu would have an unfortunate role to play on the opener for City inside the opening 15 minutes as a simple clearance from the young shot stopper cannoned off the back of an onrushing Appleton. The ball looped over Bonsu, before rolling over the line just before he could get to it to gift the Grecians the opener.
In a half of few chances, it was those in red and white who were quite happy to knock the ball about before triggering the runs down the channels – Wilson being utilised on almost every occasion down the right hand side. Santino Ohanaka on the left also looked lively as he sent in a dangerous cross which tested the keeper.
The slick passing was working for City, and they doubled the lead with ten minutes of the half remaining through Birch. A delightful weighted pass from Aston saw Birch, who moments earlier had gone down in need of treatment, latch onto the ball before thumping it past Bonsu, who could only get a slight hand to the effort.
It could have been three before the break when Ohanaka launched an assault down the left hand side, breaking into the area before squaring it for Appleton who could only fire over the bar.
Second Half
Birch was still feeling the effects of his earlier knock and was brought off at the break, allowing the introduction of Bellotti for the second 45. Dunstable initially started the second half well, but the Grecians soon found their rhythm for a confident and comfortable second half performance.
Wilson was first to create in the second half, as he showed fantastic close control to glide into the area and tee up Luke Hodgetts, who could only fire into the Big Bank. But it wasn’t long before City’s young and lively Scot would register the assist he had looked likely to get all night. Finding more space on the right hand side, Wilson was able to chop back and send a powerful cross to the back post where Graham was able to leather the ball in from a tight angle to make it three, and put the game out of sight for the visitors.
That would be the last action of Wilson’s evening as he was swapped out for Aidan Bown, as the pack was shuffled. Archie Bryce, who replaced Ohanaka, almost created a fourth goal as he sent in a deep cross to the six-yard box. Graham was denied an effort on target by a light blue shirt, before the impressive Bellotti crashed an effort wide on the rebound.
Bellotti, who had been dictating the central midfield play in the second half was to find the back of the net with a deserved goal thanks to fine play from Graham. Bryce’s cross from the right hand side was collected on the far side by Graham, who played the ball back into danger for Bellotti to stick out a toe for an easy finish. 4-0, and game over.
City would see out the final period of the game with ease, to set up a third round tie with Stevenage.
Exeter City: Shanahan (GK), Cartwright, Aston, Hodgetts (Baker), Cavendish ©, Crees, Graham, Birch (Bellotti), Appleton, Ohanaka (Bryce), Wilson (Bown).
Subs: Down (GK), Swift, Nardiello.
AFC Dunstable: Bonsu (GK), Blake, Laborde, Flanagan, Long, Pugh, Matthews, Nicholson, Andrei Frunza, Squires, Fraser-Williams.
Subs: Kornechi (GK), Madende, Gallagher-Clarke, Kane, Kizenga, Olajide, Boateng.
Referee: Luke McFarlane
Attendance: 192