Exeter City under-18s picked up their first win of the season in scintillating fashion as they demolished Cambridge United 8-2 at the Cliff Hill Training Ground on Saturday morning.
Four goals from Theo Cutler and one each from Kieran Wilson, Liam Oakes, Harry Crees and George Williams put the U’s to the sword as the Grecians built on last weekend’s maiden point of the season with four goals in each half.
There was little sign of the match ahead when the Grecians lost possession in the final third and conceded with just 17 minutes on the clock, but after a confidence boosting draw at Northampton last time out, the youngsters didn’t let their heads drop as it took just six minutes to draw level.
Cutler drove forward in a promising attack and was brought down in the area for a spot kick, before duly dispatching the penalty.
The offside flag denied Cambridge the opportunity to retake the lead, and City made the most of the let-off and they scored three times in an eight minute period at the end of the first half.
First, Williams and Oakes combined from a short throw midway inside the Cambridge half with the former delivering a pinpoint cross for Crees to nod past the goalkeeper to make it 2-1.
On the verge of the half-time whistle, Wilson made it three as Jack Anthony stole the ball off his opponent in the middle of the park. He slid in the nimble Scot, who took a few steps forward, cut inside with a drop of the shoulder and unleashed a low effort past the keeper at his far post.
There was still time before the break for Oakes to score his first of the season. Wilson turned provider on the left hand side this time, as he drove across the edge of the box before finding Oakes in space, who took one touch before firing past the keeper with a well hit effort.
The intensity didn’t let up in the second half as the Grecians continued to drive through the Cambridge press, attacking at speed to make even more the comfortable the margin of what was now almost certain victory.
The fifth goal came just four minutes into the second period. Wilson was continuing to run rings around the U’s defence down the left, and he once again cut in before finding Williams with a pristine through ball as he took a touch before taking left-footed aim for the bottom corner.
It was 6-1 just another four minutes later as Oakes set Crees free down the left hand side, before passing inside the George Birch. Birch took one touch inside the box then laid the ball on a plate for Cutler who made it a brace.
Barely ten minutes into the second half and it was seventh heaven for Nicky Ajose’s side as Cutler completed his hat-trick. Williams turned provider for the side as he delivered a stunning cross to the back post, where Cutler had a simple but powerful header.
Cambridge added a scrappy second to their tally, but it did little to dampen the spirits of a rejuvenated and confident City side who looked far from a side that had yet to register a victory in the season so far.
Number eight came still with 20 minutes of time to play, and it was no surprise that it was Cutler who would register his name on the scoresheet for the fourth time in the match. It was a fine solo effort from the striker as he picked up the loose ball won by Wilson and intricately took it through the Cambridge defence, dropped the shoulder and beat the keeper at his near post.
In truth, it could have been more than eight for City and it was an unfortunate Cambridge side who found the Grecians at their very best that they have shown they are capable of in the past. With eleven goals in two matches and the forwards firing on all cylinders, there is more than just hope that this victory will kickstart the Grecians season in the EFL Youth Alliance.
Exeter City XI: Shanahan, Oakes, Anthony, Cayless, Alsop, Williams, Birch, Crees, Wilson, Graham, Cutler.
Subs: Down, Rickhuss, Hodgetts, Bown, Appleton.