Last weekend and midweek games marked a setback to our play-off ambitions – but nothing more than that as long as we won today, to put us in a good state of mind ahead of the key games in March (inc Leyton Orient, Barnsley Stockport, and Huddersfield). So today, with no disrespect to Exeter (who did after all beat us at their place back in November), and given that in football nothing is given, the base expectation was to take the three points. Beyond this, we wanted to win with a little style, perhaps even some comfort, to send the right message to those around us, even if barring a ridiculous goal difference change we wouldn’t be able to move back into a play-off spot.
And we got pretty much what the doctor ordered. It wasn’t easy for sure as Exeter set up to frustrate and managed to do that for much of the game. But just when things were starting to look a little doubtful, perhaps questions over whether we had the best options out there in a game with little space, we took the lead. Then before doubts about an Exeter late revival might have crept in we scored again. Then to round things off we had a third. Exeter had a few moments, but by and large they couldn’t lay a glove on us, the defence stepping up when they made changes to try and get back into the game. In midfield Anderson stepped up admirably and up front, well we scored three goals, albeit one off their defender. Really nothing to complain about.
The team showed two changes, both enforced. Mannion started in goal in light of Maynard-Brewer’s groin injury, while less expected Anderson replaced Docherty, who was said to have been unwell through the week. This meant two places vacant on the subs bench, with Reid and McIntyre filling those slots, while Watson also rather surprisingly was in the squad at the expense of Mitchell, who had played 60 minutes for the U21s against Millwall. Whether he picked up a knock or whether Jones saw a reason to go with Watson, to give a wing-back option, with McIntyre cover for central defence wasn’t made clear.
After a mixed opening, once the game settled down we assumed control, with Exeter getting men behind the ball, packing out midfield and defending their box with a 5-4-1 leaving Magennis pretty much on his own and their attacking threat limited to set pieces and an occasional break. Trouble was it worked, for 20 minutes. We had a decent appeal for a penalty as Anderson was felled but nothing was given. Otherwise we struggled to make an impression in the final third, which did raise the question whether we might have started with one of the big guys (Aneke, Leaburn or Ahadme) in light of the likely opposition approach.
Just as these concerns were rising we scored. Small did what is now a familiar trick of his. If the opposition doubles up on him wait for the two to converge, chips the ball beyond them and run between them. He did this well and was taken out for his pains. The free-kick was delivered superbly by Berry, dipping into the area of uncertainty. It may have taken a touch off Godden (in the right place as usual), perhaps another, but ended up coming off their defender and into the net.
That settled nerves, although Exeter were never going to change their approach at only one down, even though their first substitution was made after 30 minutes. But we knew we’d need another for breathing space. And we didn’t quite manage that in the remainder of the first half, with crosses not quite converted then right at the end Small roasting his marker and delivering a peach of a cross to the far post. Their defender opted to let it run and Campbell in behind him held off rather than gambling and missed the opportunity.
The stats at the break showed us having had 69% possession with six efforts on goal, just one on target (not the goal), against three and one for them. Just needed the second goal.
That so nearly came on 51 minutes as Campbell delivered a good cross from the left which found an unmarked Anderson. His header wasn’t bad but was too close to their keeper, who blocked it, then managed to save Godden’s attempt to convert the rebound from close in. Shortly after Berry delivered a cross from the other side which also found Anderson, whose header went wide.
To be fair, around this time Exeter were making a game of it, enjoying some possession without creating anything. So when we were denied another penalty as Small went down after a challenge (it wasn’t clear whether or not their defender had got a touch on the ball before making contact with Small) concerns were rising again. But right on cue we extended the lead. A ball forward was headed away but only to Campbell. He was allowed to advance towards the box unchallenged and was able to pick his spot, curling a low shot with his right foot into the corner of the net. Excellent finish, but if we had conceded it we would have been howling about the lack of a challenge.
That really put the seal on things. 2-0 is obviously a dangerous lead, but you really couldn’t see Exeter scoring once, let alone twice. But they had now to press forward more and that inevitably created more space for us. A ball forward had to be headed away by their keeper outside his box. On 74 minutes Jones made the first changes, with Gilbert and Leaburn coming on for Berry and Godden. Exeter did have one moment as a dangerous ball into our box required some desperate defending and the clearance led to a free-kick for them in a decent position outside the box. But Magennis’ shot went into the wall.
On 83 minutes we had the icing on the cake as Leaburn was sent through down the right flank. He had a lot to do and not much support, but took the ball into the box then jinked inside, outside, back inside, then having wrong-footed everyone hit the ball low across their keeper and into the far corner. The only problem was that Exeter’s decision to change ends meant that this wasn’t in front of the Covered End.
Kanu for Campbell and McIntyre for Coventry, then Watson for Edwards. But this was all just to rest a few legs and give people a few minutes, the game was more than done.
We know where the other results leave us in the table and we know what’s coming up next. But we surely can’t go into these key games in better spirits. Before we go to Brisbane Road Leyton Orient will play at Birmingham on Tuesday night, while Barnsley will be at Northampton and Huddersfield at Wigan. Defeats for three of our play-off rivals would be very welcome, but whatever happens to others we have got ourselves into a position where our destiny is in our own hands – even if the others will feel the same way too. Game on.
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