A barn-storming second-half made up for a poor opening 45 minutes and gave Michael Appleton his third consecutive home win.
After Saturday's drab draw at struggling Shrewsbury, I wasn't sure what to expect last night. We have a decent recent record against them but they were five points above us in the table and our defence frightens me.
The starting line-up was a surprise too, with Maynard-Brewer back in goal and a start for Chuks Aneke. Tedic may a start in midfield too which looked a bit uncomfortable. Maynard-Brewer was overdue a return but I worry about Aneke starting. The defence was unchanged with Thomas, Jones, Hector and Watson nominally across the back. However, the reality of that was a back three as Thomas largely vacated the left-back position. We seemed to play with a hole at left back for much of the game but it also spread the gap between Jones and Hector which lead to the Grecians goal after 23 minutes when a counter-attack from a Charlton corner saw the ball played straight through the middle to Scott who ran on and drew Maynard-Brewer before steering the ball passed him. Exeter enjoyed a good 15 minute spell after taking the lead and Scott might have doubled it when he arrived in the box to meet a cross and swept it high towards the top-left corner but it just missed the woodwork.
We huffed and puffed to get level but it wasn't looking great with May playing a withdrawn role and Chuks leading the line alone. However, Alfie turned provider on the stroke of half-time after coming out of midfield in possession, heading right and then floating a ball onto Chuks' head. Aneke crashed it off the bar from close range but Corey Blackett-Taylor was on hand to drive home the rebound.
After the break and kicking towards the Covered End, I expected us to win the game. After 65 minutes, we were awarded a penalty after Louie Watson was knocked off the ball. Chuks took the penalty but Sinisalo got a hand to it and pushed it onto the post. The ball bounced back into play and there, yards ahead of anyone else was Alfie May who smashed it home.
A minute later and the referee made a howler by sending off Aimson after a tackle with May. From then on it was only a matter of how many. Miles Leaburn gave Aneke a rest and grabbed a fine trade-mark box finish. near the end of normal time Alfie may added another close range finish on the rebound.
Appleton is now unbeaten in five with 11 from 15 and another home win on Saturday against Blackpool would cement a very solid start. I just wish we could sort out our defensive tactics and stop conceding goals we really shouldn't be giving away.
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