Lee Martin’s curling effort from the corner of the penalty area was enough to give Exeter City their first win in 9 games at St James Park yesterday afternoon.
Manager David Artell made 2 changes from last Saturday’s home defeat against Oldham Athletic with captain George Ray coming in for Liverpool loanee Corey Whelan (with Perry Ng moving over to right-back) and Alex Nicholls came in for Shaun Miller as the Alex went 4-5-1 with both players dropping down to the bench.
The opening chance of the game came for the hosts on 7 minutes with midfielder Jake Taylor hitting the bar before the next chance came in the 34th minute with Ben Garratt making a save from Lee Holmes before the hosts took the lead 8 minutes later. Lee Martin cut in from the right-wing and curled the ball past Garratt from the corner of the penalty area.
The first Alex chance came on 54 minutes with Callum Ainley having an effort saved on the turn before the midfielder had another effort that was saved by Chrissy Pym. The best opportunity for an equaliser as substitute Miller was played in but he hit the bar from 8 yards out having rounded Pym.
The next game is a trip to Forest Green Rovers next Saturday afternoon before we return to the Alexandra Stadium to face Lincoln City on Boxing Day.
What have we learnt from this game?
Again not a lot that we haven’t previously mentioned. Another goal from distance beats Ben (although not a lot he could have done with it) and another sitter missed at the other end – just 3 Bowery goals away from home to show for our efforts on the road, the last of which was in October.