It was another disappointing afternoon for the under-18s on Saturday, as they succumbed to a 5-3 defeat to 10-man Bristol Rovers.
Despite twice coming back from behind in the first half and the visitors being reduced to 10 men before the break, three Rovers goals in the opening 20 minutes of the second half killed any chance of points for City at the Cliff Hill.
After a break of three weeks without a fixture for his team, under-18s Lead Coach Nicky Ajose made three changes from the starting eleven who beat Cambridge 8-2, with Jacca Cavendish, Luke Hodgetts and Liam Cartwright all returning to the lineup.
First half
The young Grecians started brightly, maintaining possession well but struggled to create clear chances. However, their early momentum was disrupted just nine minutes in when Bristol Rovers capitalised on a set-piece.
The Gas won a free-kick 40 yards from goal and caught City off guard by playing it short, allowing their midfielder time to step forward and unleash a powerful strike into the top corner past Dylan Shanahan.
City responded quickly, equalizing seven minutes later through centre-back Jack Anthony. A right-sided corner was partially cleared by the Rovers defence, but Kieran Wilson recovered the ball with his back to goal, nudging it to Liam Oakes. Oakes worked it wide before a low cross was whipped into the six-yard box, and after a fumble by the keeper, Anthony was on hand to tap in from close range.
The Grecians began to assert themselves again, but a lapse in concentration led to another setback. A clumsy foul during a Rovers set-piece in the 25th minute resulted in a penalty, and although Shanahan guessed correctly, he couldn’t stop the well-placed effort into the bottom corner, putting Rovers back in front.
Once more City fought back, equalising through Oakes eight minutes before half-time. Oakes initiated the move with a chip down the right, and after receiving the cut-back at the edge of the box, he struck the ball first-time into the bottom corner to level the game.
There was further drama before the break when Rovers were reduced to ten men. After Shanahan claimed a cross and attempted to spark a quick counter, a Rovers forward obstructed the keeper’s leg. Having already been cautioned for dissent, the forward received a second yellow and was sent off, leaving the visitors a man down.
Second half
Despite having a numerical advantage, City conceded within seconds of the second half restarting.
Rovers quickly worked the ball through midfield and out to the right, where their player cut into the box under pressure from a City defender. While it looked like a foul, the Gas forward managed to poke the ball beyond Shanahan and into the net as he fell, restoring their lead.
The Grecians struggled to adapt to playing against ten men, and their defensive frailties showed again with two more goals conceded within three minutes just past the hour mark.
The fourth goal came after City lost possession near the halfway line, allowing Rovers' winger to counter down the left. He evaded two defenders before slotting home. Moments later, another quick break down the same side saw Shanahan parry the initial shot, but the rebound fell kindly to a Rovers player who tapped in for their fifth.
City did find a response five minutes later through a set-piece. Birch’s free-kick deflected off the wall but was kept alive by Oakes, allowing Anthony to slot the ball under the keeper for his second and City’s third.
Despite pushing forward in the final 20 minutes, the Grecians couldn’t take full advantage of their opportunities. While they created several half-chances, only one forced the Rovers keeper into a notable save, leaving City frustrated at full-time.
A disappointing afternoon that was undone by a sluggish start to the second half, City will be eager to bounce back with a stronger showing in Thursday's FA Youth Cup match at St James Park against Bridgewater.
Exeter City under-18s: Shanahan, Oakes, Anthony, Cavendish, Cayless, Hodgetts, Birch, Cartwright, Wilson, Graham, Cutler.
Substitutes: Down (GK), Aston, Bellotti, Baker.
Goals: Anthony 16', 67', Oakes 37'.
Watch the goals ⬇️