UNLUCKY YOUNGSTERS IN LEAGUE CUP

Exeter City U21s opened their Premier League Cup campaign with a unfortunate defeat to Norwich City U21s at St James Park.

An early solo goal from Elliot Myles gave the Canaries the lead, before Reuben Cooper doubled the lead at the midway point of the first-half. A much improved second-half performance from the Grecians was stopped in its tracks when Finlay Corke scored from the spot with fifteen minutes to go. City got the goal their positive second-half performance deserved as Harry Appleton notched a late consolation goal in added time.

Exeter City assistant Manager Kevin Nicholson named a young side that also featured first team players and Academy Graduates Harry Kite, Liam Oakes and George Birch.

Norwich got the game underway on a lovely evening at St James Park and were the early aggressors. In just the 4th minute they tested the City backline, with Reuben Cooper finding space before sending in a testing cross which Frankie Phillips held.

Just two minutes later the deadlock was broken in some style as Norwich’s Elliot Myles scored a fantastic solo goal as he waltzed past two City defenders before shooting into the bottom corner leaving Frankie Phillips with no chance.

City responded well to the early set-back and a ball in from deep was headed down towards goal by Tobias Alsop, causing a bit of a mix-up at the back which the visitors managed to hack away.

After a tough first fifteen minutes, the young Grecians grew into the match. Callum Grant looked lively down City’s right, and he drove forward before sliding a ball out wide to Louie Cayless, his deep cross was dangerous and is headed away for a city corner. The set-piece was sent in towards the near post and fell to Jack Bellotti in the six-yard box, who fired just wide from a difficult angle.

In the 26th minute City suffered a further set-back as the visitors doubled their lead. Jake Glossop who had looked dangerous all half, drove down City’s left before crossing low, the ball was well blocked by Tobias Alsop, but fell into the path of an on-rushing Reuben Cooper, who fired in the corner from just inside the six-yard box.

George Birch looked City’s brightest attacking threat in the first half. In the 36th minute he showed great close control and footwork to wriggle past his marker on the touchline before creating a crossing opportunity that was too high for the on-rushing Callum Grant.

With just one added minute at the end of the half, City went into the break with a lot of work to do in the second half.

Kevin Nicholson made a change at the break with Jamie Rickhuss replacing Jack Bellotti. The young Grecians fashioned their best chance of the game two minutes into the half. Harry Kite won the wall back in robust fashion before moving forward and finding Liam Oakes 20-yards from goal, he shaped and shot just wide of Luis Line’s far post in the Norwich goal.

George Birch continued to look City’s most attacking threat, finding space in tight areas, again cutting inside before sending a shot well wide of goal. Minutes later Birch would find Louie Cayless in a similar position, with the young Grecian cutting inside and firing agonisingly wide of goal with Luis Lines beaten.

City continued to push for a way back into the match and looked to break Norwich’s lines as Liam Oakes found Harry Appleton just outside the box. City’s forward took a touch before shooting low and Luis Lines got down quickly to push the ball just wide of the post.

Norwich had a big chance to seal it after 75 minutes. Pinball in the box ended with the ball falling to Jake Glossop, his shot looked destined for the far corner but took a deflection wide of a City player. The resulting corner was headed over the bar by Theodore Adelusi.

Just a couple of minutes later the visitors did have a third. A rash challenge from Tobias Alsop on Theodore Adelusi saw the referee point to the spot. Up stelled Finlay Corke who made no mistake from the spot, firing into the corner.

The Grecians got the goal their second-half performance deserved, in added time. Percy Baker sent in a low free-kick from out wide which was touched home by Jamie Rickhuss.

Up Next in the Premier League Cup

The young Grecians make the trip to face Bristol City U21s on Monday, October 12, before returning to SJP on Monday, November 2 to face Reading in a 7pm kick-off.