Exeter City make it three wins from three in Premier League U21 Cup

Exeter City have one foot in the knockout stages of the Premier League U21 Cup after making it three wins from three in the group stage. Goals inside 60 seconds of each other from Sonny Cox and Tom Dean gave them a 2-0 win over Bristol City and a commanding spot atop the group.

Cox broke the deadlock on the half hour with a well taken finish past the Robins’ goalkeeper. Less than a minute later, he turned provider to set up Dean who slotted home.

City have nine points and are in pole position to qualify for the last 16 at the halfway stage, with the win following previous triumphs over Bromley and Norwich City. Bristol City sit second with four points, with Bromley on three and the Canaries on one.

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“It was a great team performance,” Cox said. “We knew it would be a tough game, a big battle for us, but nine points out of nine, we are really happy with the performance. We all dug in, did what needed to do to get the three points and a clean sheet which was one of the aims for the game

“I want to show the manager I can get back on the scoresheet and get my shirt back and get back in the team. It has been great so far and we have the quality to win the games and go unbeaten in the group.”

Harry Lee was named in goal for the Grecians, with Liam Oakes, Ed James and Jack Fitzwater in defence. Vincent Harper and Amani Richards played as wing-backs, with Jake Richards and Charlie Cummins in midfield. Dean, Mitch Beardmore and Cox were the front three. The subs included Gabe Billington, returning to action 15 months after suffering a significant fracture and dislocation of his ankle.

The Robins had the best chances of the early stages, but with half an hour on the clock, Exeter took the lead. Amani Richards played a beautifully through ball to Cox who poked the finish past the goalkeeper.

Less than a minute later, it was two. Straight from the kick-off City pressed and won the ball back. This time Cox was the provider as he squared the ball to Dean who slotted home a second for the Grecians.

Soon after it was nearly three as Cox had a goal from a corner ruled out for a foul in the build-up, before the striker’s touch let him down when another chance presented itself. Amani Richards then saw an effort just go wide of the post.

Louis Cayless replaced Harper at the break, but City continued to dominate. Dean and Jake Richards came close, as did Oakes, whose effort from a corner couldn’t make its way through a crowd of legs. With 20 minutes to go, Billington replaced Cummins, while Theo Cutler, who came off the bench late on, early made it three in stoppage-time but was brilliantly denied.

“There are lots of positives from the evening,” Dan Green, Exeter’s First Team Individual Player Development Coach, said. “The senior players really helped with the way they went about the business. It is important the influence they have, they were excellent, and ultimately a great habit to be in to win games, a great evening.

“What we try and do is create alignment between the first team and the U21s. Lots of positives from tonight and players will be better off the back of this. Players are getting the opportunities and taking them and being a part of a team which is winning games. It has been a good evening overall.”

Exeter City ’s U21 are next in action next Wednesday when they travel to Norwich City.