Our U18 side fell to a disappointing 4-0 defeat against a strong Exeter City side at Velodrome Way, on Saturday 11th November.
Goals from Exeter’s Jordan Dyer, Jack Sparkes, Brandon Parsons and Josh Williams condemned the Young Exiles to a second league loss against the Grecians this season.
Before the match our U18 and U16 sides impeccably observed a two-minute silence on Remembrance Day.
The game started evenly, with both sides not being able to create many chances in the opening ten minutes. Tom Hillman then picked up a free-kick for County in the 14th minute.
Evan Press took the set-piece, expertly floating the ball into Callum Beckett, who failed to get any contact on the ball – if he had, the Young Exiles would’ve taken the lead after 15 minutes.
Byron Anthony’s side would soon be made to rue their missed chances, with Jordan Dyer punishing the Young Exiles, putting Exeter 1-0 up with a well-taken finish in the 17th minute past Callum Brain.
Four minutes later the away side had doubled their lead, after Jack Sparkes caused County’s defence many problems before slotting home his sides second goal.
Michael Cook could’ve pulled a goal back for the Young Exiles in the 32nd minute, but he couldn’t direct his header on target and it meant County continued in their search to half the deficit.
Tom Savigar picked up a yellow card five minutes after Cook’s chance when he made a late attempt to win the ball back.
County would have one final chance in the first-half, but Exeter City ‘keeper Felix Norman cleared a dangerous cross which looked to be heading towards Michael Cook – meaning the home side went into the break 2-0 down.
The Grecian’s Jack Sparkes saw his shot headed over the bar by Callum Beckett five minutes after the restart, reacting brilliantly to prevent another goal.
Brandon Parsons piled more misery on the Young Exiles, scoring a third for Dan Green’s side in the 57th minute.
Callum Brain then made a brilliant save to prevent a fourth goal for Exeter four minutes after the third goal.
Michael Cook and Owen Taylor departed for Josh Williams and Liam Bishop with 67 minutes played as County tried to get a goal back.
Exeter got their fourth, with Josh Williams scoring past Callum Brain – having been denied a goal by the superb defending of Jay Foulston and an excellent save from Brain a few minutes earlier.
Liam Bishop saw an audacious effort from far out go over, as the game started to fade out – the Young Exiles made a final change with Lewis Collins being replaced by Owura Edwards with two minutes left in the game.
Despite having a few chances to get a goal, Exeter took their chances well and retained their place at the top of the EFL Youth Alliance League South.
County Starting XI: Brain, Williams, Hunt, Savigar, Beckett, Foulston (c), Collins (Edwards 88’), Press, Cook (Bishop 67’), Taylor (Josh Williams 67’), Hillman.
Subs Not Used: Liam Warman, Lucas Murray.
Yellow Cards: Tom Savigar (37’)