‘TIS THE SEASON FOR THE GRECIANS
PAUL Tisdale says his Exeter side have redeemed themselves after bouncing back from three defeats in four league games to re-ignite their promotion push.
The Grecians boss demanded an improvement after Exeter lost momentum on the back of three straight away defeats.
Lloyd James and Pierce Sweeney hit second-half goals to put Exeter in control as they chased an eighth win from 11 home games.
The visitors were given a glimmer of hope when Matt Godden’s volleyed in his tenth goal of the season.
But Exeter’s third straight league win at St James’ Park means fast-falling Stevnage have now not tasted victory in eight league games.
Tisdale said: “It was a good, thorough performance and a really useful three points.
“Until the point where they scored, I don’t think they had a shot. I thought we were in control.
“But it just shows you that one goal can lead to two and they came very close to getting a second, but it was a terrific save (from Christy Pym).
“It was a 95 per cent performance from us. We have done that more than we haven’t at home this year and we have to continue it. The players have to redeem themselves a little bit after a couple of average away performances.”
A stunning double save by Joe Fryer prevented Exeter from taking a tenthminute lead.
Hiram Boateng whipped in a freekick and Jayden Stockley’s close-range effort was saved by Fryer before the keeper scrambled to his feet to deny Jordan Moore-Taylor. Ryan Harley’s stinging drive from the edge of the box then forced Fryer into another smart stop.
Exeter’s pressure paid dividends on 53 minutes with a goal that owed much to a rampaging burst down the right flank by Liam McAlinden.
The former Wolves striker slipped the ball into the path of James, who took a neat touch before guiding his shot past Fryer.
Exeter doubled their lead with 71 minutes gone when McAlinden’s shot was parried by Fryer and Sweeney rammed home the rebound.
Stevenage pulled a goal back on 80 minutes through Godden and were denied an equaliser when Pym brilliantly turned Joe Martin’s piledriver on to the crossbar.
Stevenage boss Darren Sarll raged: “We fell a long way short and we have to improve quickly.
“There’s no point pulling the wool over people’s eyes - we were beaten by the better side.
“I work far too hard to travel down to Exeter for the second time in a week and see that soft first-half display.
“Their attacking threat dominated our defensive organisation and our attacking line was dominated by their defensive unit.”