Grecians fall to defeat at the Lamex stadium

Exeter City fell to a 3-1 defeat away from home against Stevenage in Sky Bet League Two.

In a match where the Grecians created a host of chances, it was the hosts who were the more clinical as Alex Revell claimed a hat-trick at the Lamex stadium.

Pierce Sweeney did pull one back for City from the penalty spot but it wasn't to be as City will now have to settle for a play-off spot as they continue to search for promotion.

Match report sponsored by Speedy Freight

City boss Paul Tisdale made two changes to the side that started the 2-2 draw with Crawley Town last time out, with Robbie Simpson and Dean Moxey coming into the team, as they looked to keep up the pressure on Wycombe Wanderers in the race to claim the final automatic promotion spot.

The Grecians started well in the rain and created a good chance on three minutes when Moxey’s tenacious running saw the ball find its way to Hiram Boateng, whose cross to the back post was met by Jake Taylor, but his effort at goal was turned over the crossbar by defender Ronnie Henry.

Jayden Stockley was next to have an effort at goal on six minutes when he darted behind the Stevenage defence from Boateng’s ball forward. The City number 11 struck the ball powerfully and forced a smart save from Joe Fryer in the Boro goal who turned the ball behind.

But after surviving an earlier scare, the home side began to settle and had a sight of Christy Pym’s goal when Ben Kennedy found some space on the edge of the City box before curling an effort just past the post on 11 minutes.

And it was Stevenage who would take the lead on 14 minutes when some good interplay up front saw Matt Godden get behind the City defence before he squared the ball to Revell who slotted low past Pym.

But despite falling behind, the Grecians continued to dominate the first period in terms of chances, with Taylor and Stockley both having efforts edge just over as Tisdale’s side looked for a way back into the match.

Arguably one of their best moves of the half came when City won it back in midfield and Stockley did well to tee up Taylor, whose shot was palmed into the path of the on-rushing Robbie Simpson, but credit to the Stevenage defenders who raced back to clear before the City striker could fire into an empty net.

But just moments later the Grecians would find themselves two goals behind when, after a ball back to Pym was under hit, Revell did well to slide in and get a fortunate ricochet off the goalkeeper as the ball fell kindly for him to slot into an empty net, meaning the Grecians had it all to do at the break.

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