Grecians return home disappointed after Argyle claim victory in Devon Derby
Plymouth Argyle 1 Exeter City 0
Exeter City finished on the wrong side of a 1-0 scoreline at Home Park, as Plymouth Argyle took the victory in the second Devon Derby of the season.
The Grecians had started the brighter in the game, but as Argyle settled, they looked more and more threatening.
They finally made the breakthrough just before the interval, with a piece of individual skill by Jason Banton who fired in a fine strike from distance.
Exeter remained within touching distance but it just crept away from them, as chances went amiss in the closing stages and the hosts collected all three points.
City had been buoyed by the news that Tommy Doherty was back available for selection, and he came straight back into the starting XI for the derby fixture. Jamie Cureton was also handed a starting berth, meaning a seat on the bench for Jake Gosling and John O’Flynn.
Mark Molesley began his second Devon Derby of the season – this time in the red and white of Exeter, having featured in Argyle green when the sides met at St James Park back in December.
Right before the referee blew for half-time, the Pilgrims finally broke the deadlock through a piece of individual improvisation by Jason Banton. He created space for himself with a neat first-touch before lashing a left-footed strike across the goal from 25 yards, which pinged off the base of the post on the way into the back of the net.
Unfortunately Exeter re-emerged in the second half without Doherty, who had only just made the matchday squad through his back injury. Former Plymouth youngster Jake Gosling was his replacement, while Lee Cox was withdrawn for Luke Young for the hosts.
And right after the restart Cureton had a half-chance to equalise as another Woodman ball was misread by the Plymouth defence, but the striker’s touch didn’t quite have the delicacy it needed on the turn inside the six-yard box, and Cole collected low.
In the closing moments of the game, the Grecians piled forward, but it was ultimately fruitless as Plymouth took the spoils from the derby game.
Full-time: Plymouth Argyle 1 Exeter City 0
Plymouth Argyle: Cole; Blanchard, Wotton, Branston, Bhasera; Gurrieri (Cowan-Hall 77), Cox (Young h-t), Banton (Murray 72), Hourihane, Bryan; Reid.
Subs (not used): Chadwick, Nelson, Gilmartin, Harvey.
Goal: Banton (45+2).
Exeter City: Krysiak; Amankwaah, Baldwin, Coles, Woodman; Molesley (Keohane 71), Doherty (Gosling h-t), Bennett, Davies; D’Ath (O’Flynn 59); Cureton.
Subs (not used): Evans, Tully, Bauza, Moore Taylor.
Attendance: 13,251
Referee: D. Drysdale
For the full match report click here.
