Advertisement

Demi Mitchell 'written in the stars' Exeter City return as he scores winner after year of injury hell

Demi Mitchell 'written in the stars' Exeter City return as he scores winner after year of injury hell


It felt like it was written in the stars. 364 days after suffering a serious ACL injury, Demi Mitchell made his exeter-city-fc>Exeter City return, and he marked it with a winning goal.

The 27-year-old made his comeback from injury as a substitute in the Grecians’ 3-2 win over Bristol Rovers in the Bristol Street Motors Trophy. City were twice ahead, but pegged back on both occasions, before three minutes from time, Mitchell grabbed the winner.

It was October 31 when Mitchell suffered a season-ending knee injury in the 3-2 Carabao Cup fourth round defeat to Middlesbrough. He had suffered a couple of setbacks in his recovery but finally back on the pitch, he reminded everyone what a talent he is with an impressive performance, even before he ghosted in at the back post to strike the winner which ensured City made it three from three in the group and sealed a home knockout tie.

READ MORE:Exeter City get the home tie they wanted after late winner in EFL Trophy

READ MORE:Bristol Rovers 2 Exeter City 3 - Demi Mitchell scores late winner as Grecians win group

Demi Mitchell of Exeter City celebrates after scoring during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at Memorial Stadium on 29 October 2024. Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK
Demi Mitchell of Exeter City celebrates after scoring during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at Memorial Stadium on 29 October 2024. Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK

“It feels a bit surreal,” he said. “It has been a difficult time for me, had a few niggles on the way, and fans keep asking me when I’m back but I didn’t know myself.

“But I got some minutes and am happy to get the winner. I was to go out to express and enjoy myself, had backing from the manager, and now I am back and just want to repay the faith.

“I have always been encouraged to get to the back stick when playing wing-back and I saw the ball trickling through and thought I’d be on the end of it, screamed my name, trusted my right foot, and it has gone in.

“The supporters have been with me since day one and I want to repay the faith and this is the start of the season for myself and want to help the lads as much as possible. We wanted the win, wanted the home draw, and happy we are going home happy.”

Jay Bird had put the Grecians ahead with his first goal for the club when he headed home from close range after 18 minutes. But Connor Taylor drew Rovers level on the half hour when he left unmarked to poke in a finish after City failed to clear their lines from a corner.

Millenic Alli though pounced on a horrible error by Taylor to slot home a finish moments into the second half to restore Exeter’s lead. Isaac Hutchinson though levelled for the second time just after the hour, firing into the far corner.

Demi Mitchell of Exeter City celebrates after scoringduring the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at Memorial Stadium on 29 October 2024. Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK
Demi Mitchell of Exeter City celebrates after scoringduring the Bristol Street Motors Trophy Match between Bristol Rovers and Exeter City at Memorial Stadium on 29 October 2024. Photo: Geraint Nicholas/PPAUK

But Mitchell in the 87 th minute got on the end of a low cross to fire home the winning goal after his year-long absence and City the win having suffered successive league defeat. Victory ensured that the Grecians will have a home tie in the last 32

“Special mention to Demi getting the goal, it was written in the stars,” assistant manager Kevin Nicholson said. “364 days from when he got his injury. He has looked really sharp in training, a popular member of the group and everyone is delighted for him.”

“When we play to our plan, that’s who we need to be and Demi brings something that is rare. He has sharpness, the way he can beat a man, either foot, scores goals, at the back post, he is a top top player and needs to build cohesiveness but he has been in every day and come back in great condition.”