Grecians slip to first league defeat of the season
Coventry City 2 Exeter City 0
Exeter City slipped to their first league defeat of the season as they lost 2-0 away from home against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena.
An unfortunate Troy Brown own goal and a late finish from Devon Kelly-Evans secured victory for a Coventry side who created a host of chances.
Despite the Grecians’ attempts to rally from behind, they were unable to find their way back into the match despite some late chances.
City boss, Paul Tisdale, named the same starting eleven for the sixth consecutive match with the Grecians keen to continue their excellent form that had seen them pick up recent wins over Barnet and Crewe Alexandra.
It took until the 15-minute mark for either side to have an attempt on goal, largely due to a lengthy stoppage for a Peter Vincenti injury.
But it was the Coventry player who had the first attempt at goal after he shaped to cut inside and shoot, but his effort was well over Christy Pym’s goal.
The Grecians then had Troy Brown to thank as he made two important blocks off the line as the hosts began to turn up the pressure on a Grecians side who looked comfortable on the ball in midfield, but until that point, had been unable to threaten Lee Burge’s goal.
Half chances came and went for City in a low key first half, with opportunities predominantly coming through crosses towards the likes of Reuben Reid and Liam McAlinden, but the home side did well to put the forwards under pressure and clear.
As the fourth official lifted his board to show five minutes of added time to the first half, Pym made an excellent save down to his left.
The tricky Jodi Jones, who was Coventry’s main threat throughout the first period, cut inside from the right to shoot powerfully, but the City goalkeeper was equal to it as he held well.
Duckens Nazon then almost sent the hosts into the lead when he picked up the ball centrally and drove at the City backline, but thankfully for the Grecians he miscued his effort as it flew wide of the goal as the sides went into the break with the match goalless.
Read the full match report here.
