Exeter City in total control as they cruise into FA Cup third round

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell was delighted with the performance of his team as they cruised into the third round of the FA Cup. The Grecians were totally dominant and goals either side of half time saw them progress in routine style with a 2-0 win over League Two Chesterfield.

Chances were flowing for City at St James Park but it took until the stroke of half-time before they went in front through Tristan Crama’s back-post header as the defender was left unmarked from a corner. Josh Magennis sealed the win midway through the second half when the striker tapped home from close range.

Chesterfield, whose 500 travelling fans gave Caldwell, who used to manage them, plenty of stick, rallied, but it was too little, too late. The Grecians had chances to extend the lead further, but the 2-0 win was enough to deservedly reach round three for the first time in four seasons.

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“The win was down to the players and the way that we performed right from the start of the game,” Caldwell said. “We took control from the start, caused them problems in wide areas, and could have scored more goals, the one area we can improve.

“We were in total control of the game, and it wasn’t ever in any real doubt. We created chances and the only disappointing thing from the day was that we didn’t score more goals. We had opportunities to score more goals, but the good thing was that we played through the thirds better, we created more opportunities and if we continue to do that, then we will score goals.

“I am delighted with the team and the attitude of the players. Cup ties against lower-league teams are never easy, but we were spot on today, had a real mentality to win, so I am delighted with everyone and we are in the next round of the cup which is what we wanted.”

Following the 2-0 defeat at home to Birmingham City on Tuesday night, Caldwell made two changes to the Exeter City side. A fit-again Millenic Alli returned up front in place of Jay Bird, while the other change saw 17-year-old Jake Richards come into the midfield for his first appearance outside of the EFL Trophy this season, in place of Vincent Harper.

The Grecians had the first chance with three minutes on the clock. Ryan Woods picked out Ilmari Niskanen, he squared it to Aitchison, but the Scot’s effort from the edge of the area was well kept out by Max Thompson with a strong hand.

City were on top and were getting closer. After Jamie Grimes had to make a vital interception to turn a cross behind for a corner, the Spireites skipper was again needed. Francis’s corner found Magennis, he turned and shot, but the defender cleared it off the line.

Niskanen had the next chance and it was one he should have buried. The Finn was clean through after a well-worked move, but six yards out, one-on-one, he elected to try and square it to Magennis rather than shooting. The pass was behind him and the chance went begging rather than being buried. Aitchison and Alli then forced smart saves from Thompson, while the goalkeeper was again called into action to deny Woods from 25 yards.

It was all City and in first half stoppage-time, the Grecians finally got the goal their dominance deserved. Woods swung in a corner and Crama was unmarked six yards out to head home his third of the season to break the deadlock. It had been coming.

The visitors had their first chance of the match when Darren Oldaker tested Joe Whitworth with a free-kick from the edge of the box. But the second goal for Exeter did come midway through the second half, and again, it had been coming. Aitchison drove forward as City broke. He picked out Niskanen down the right, he slid the cross in, and Magennis from two yards out had the simplest of tap-ins in front of the Big Bank to make it 2-0 and ease any nerves.

Kamari Doyle off the bench saw a shot go just wide, while Pierce Sweeney saw a good shout for a penalty waved away. Bird came close in stoppage time to making it three, but the victory had long since been sealed.

“Clean sheets are always the building block to a good performance and it was good to get another one again and I am delighted we are through to the next round,” the manager added.

“The first goal was again from a set-piece and that gave us a cushion and again, it shows the importance of set-pieces in a game that was tight as Chesterfield were compact, tight and hard to break down.

“But I felt we could have scored a lot more with the threat that we had, especially out wide. We had the potential to go three, four, five but it wasn't to be. But there were so many good individual performances and we are delighted to be through.”

Exeter City are back in action on Tuesday night when they host League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers at St James Park. But first, Monday night’s draw, and the chance of keeping the cup run going.

“We are in it, that’s the big thing,” Caldwell said when asked who he wanted. “Would be nice to get a big tie away from home, financially, but also it would be good to progress. We will see what we get, the luck of the draw, but we want to be fighting in three competitions at the turn of the year.”