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Exeter City defeated Swindon Town 2-1 in their opening game of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy, thanks to a spectacular late goal from Jack Aitchison.
During a fast-paced first half, the Grecians created numerous opportunities. Aitchison, Kamari Doyle, and Millenic Alli all had solid chances to end the impasse but missed them. Ed Francis gave City the lead in the 65th minute when he finished calmly after a well-executed and prompt corner.
However, Joel Cotterill’s outstanding long-range goal after two minutes cut the deficit in half. But with five minutes remaining, City prevailed. From midway, Aitchison raced forward, checked inside, and struck a beautiful shot into the upper corner.
With a goal worthy of winning any match, Exeter opened their Bristol Street Motors Trophy campaign with a victory and three points. After one game, City leads the group with three points, followed by the Robins with zero, Bristol Rovers with one, and Tottenham Hotspur U21s with two.
Manager Gary Caldwell of Exeter City made seven changes from the team that defeated Bolton Wanderers 2-0 the previous Saturday. Some of the peripheral players were given an opportunity, and only Pierce Sweeney, Doyle, Aitchison, and Alli were able to hold onto their positions.
Caleb Watts, Francis, and Liam Oakes were in midfield, while Ed James, Jack Fitzwater, and Ben Purrington entered the defense. Shaun MacDonald was in goal. For the first time this season, Jay Bird and Jake Richards were healthy enough to start on the bench.
Following a neat passing move, Doyle marched forward towards the edge of the box, giving the visitors the first opportunity. However, he appeared undecided about whether to shoot or find a man, and a Swindon defender robbed him of the ball before he could act on either decision. After setting up Purrington, who did indeed have the ball in the net although it was long after an offside flag had been raised, the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee clipped a ten-yard attempt well wide.
When Jake Cain clipped in a cross from the left, Aaron Drinan managed to get past his marker but missed the mark. This was the Robins’ first real opportunity. City should have taken the lead when they went straight up the other end. Oakes was found by Doyle on the right side, and the teenager returned the pass to an unmarked Alli 10 yards out. Although it appeared that the Irishman would score, he completely missed his kick. Purrington, who arrived late, tried to take advantage of the opportunity, but Harrison Minturn skillfully deflected it away.
City was winning, but Drinan had a nice chance because of some careless defending. Twenty yards from goal, a charged-down clearance spun to the striker, who possibly realized he had more time than he thought to grasp the ball at the last second and drag it way wide of the goal. The first shot on aim for either side came from Danny Butterworth on the half-hour mark, but his long-range attempt was straight at MacDonald.
Exeter had their finest moment shortly afterward. Once more, Doyle was at the center, moving forward and grabbing Aitchison. The Scottish player took a deep breath, spread his feet, and unleashed a shot that just missed the post by a few inches. Then, Alli had an even better opportunity after he was on the receiving end of a through ball, but Daniel Barden was strong and stopped it with his legs from a close distance.
On the opposite side, Oakes made an incredible defensive play to stop Drinan after the attacker broke free in a two-on-one. As City broke, chances appeared on both ends. A decent-looking claim for a penalty following Tumise Sobowale’s challenge on Alli was waved away. Purrington then picked up the loose ball and released Doyle, but the 19-year-old missed the mark with his finish.
At the intermission, both managers made a shift. Gavin Kilkenny was replaced by Ollie Clarke by Mark Kennedy, and Watts was replaced by Richards by Caldwell. Kabongo Tshimanga missed the first opportunity of the second half when his effort was deflected just wide for the visitors. After the ensuing corner, Danny Butterworth received the ball and whistled a 25-yard strike that was just inches wide. Then, when another opportunity arose, MacDonald skillfully rejected Tshimanga.
At the 55-minute mark, Caldwell made a second substitution, switching Doyle for Cox. Kennedy subsequently made three substitutions on the hour, but City seized the lead in minute 65.
Purrington was still alive, but Swindon had given up a corner and were now fast asleep. He hurried over to Aitchison on the box’s edge. The assailant attempted a low shot that Francis just partially stopped. With his weaker right foot, the former Manchester City youth product took a touch and scored his team’s opening goal.
Still, the lead lasted for two minutes. When City couldn’t clear their lines, Cotterill received the ball 25 yards from goal. MacDonald was left rooted to his feet as the Welsh youth international sent home a first-time effort that sent the ball rocketing down into the bottom corner of the net. It was an excellent conclusion.
City ought to have quickly taken the lead back. Alli pounced on Ryan Delaney after he was caught beneath a long pass from MacDonald. He had a clear shot on goal and appeared to be destined to score, but he shot straight at Barden from close range. Although he shouldn’t have had the opportunity to make the save, it was an excellent one. It was Alli’s final move before Bird, making his debut, took his place.
Jack Aitchison of Exeter City celebrates his goal during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Swindon Town and Exeter City on September 3, 2024, at St. James Park in Devon. Tom Sandberg/PPAUK.jpg
And the Grecians did take the lead back in the 81st minute. Aitchison advanced after grabbing the ball midway. Despite having runners on either side of him, he decided to continue alone. After checking back inside, he struck a beautiful finish into the upper corner from a distance of 25 yards. It was his first goal of the season, and it was also his first at St. James Park. What a goal. Despite some disagreement, it appeared that Swindon, not Exeter, should have received the throw-in that sparked the move.
The 15-year-old Louis Cayless, who came on late to replace James, became Exeter’s second-youngest player ever; only Ben Chrisene was younger. Four further minutes were added. However, Swindon was unable to come up with an equalizer as City won the three points.
Next Saturday, Exeter City will return to League One action when they visit Blackpool.
Exeter City: Liam Oakes, Ed Francis, Ed James (Louie Cayless, 87), Ben Purrington, Shaun MacDonald, Pierce Sweeney, Ed James, Kamari Doyle (Sonny Cox, 55), and Jack Fitzwater Caleb Watts (Jake Richards, 45), Millenic Alli (Jay Bird, 72), and Jack Aitchison
Subs: Charlie Cummins, Johnly Yfeko, and Harry Lee
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