A JOLLEY GOOD WIN FOR TOWN
EXETER City fell to their first defeat of the season as they were humbled at home by Grimsby Town.
The Grecians were undone by the impressive Ethan Robson, who scored twice, and Moses Ogbu from the penalty spot, with the Mariners taking full advantage of some poor defending from the home side.
The victory was a massive lift for Grimsby after their 7-1 Cup mauling by Chelsea in midweek
And it left boss Michael Jolley a happy man.
“It has been a hell of a schedule for us and we always had in our mind the team we wanted to play in this game,” Jolley said.
“This game, believe it or not, took priority over the Chelsea game in terms of how we wanted to approach the week.
“We thought speed is something we could use in this game and so it proved. We have to give immense credit to the players for the way they went about it.
“The first period of the second half was mostly Exeter, but we knew if we could secure the ball the front three would pose a threat with the counter and the speed they have got and so it proved.
“We like it went teams come on to us because it means we can counter. In most games we have been chasing, it is easier when you are ahead because you can soak up pressure and hit teams on the counter.”
Exeter started brightly, but were hit on the counter when Grimsby opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Jake Hessenthaler’s corner found Ethan Robson completely unmarked and he headed powerfully past Lewis Ward.
Grimsby looked threatening on the counter attack, but could not break the Mariners down. Nicky Law saw a shot blocked just before half time and Ryan Bowman failed to connect with Jack Sparkes’ cross when it looked easier to score.
Exeter then twice struck the crossbar before Grimsby hit their hosts again on the counter on the hour mark.
Dean Moxey could have no complaints as he brought down Max Wright and Ogbu fired past Lewis Ward for 2-0.
The Grecians were caught out again after 67 minutes as teed up Robson to smash in his second of the game as Grimsby took advantage of the gaping holes in Exeter’s backline.
The Grecians did bag a consolation in stoppage time as Ryan Bowman swept in a Randell Williams free kick, but it was too little too late for Matt Taylor’s men.
“I thought we were a bit flat first half. There wasn’t too much in it and we were creating half chances without really threatening their goal,” said Exeter City manager Matt Taylor. “We got hit with a sucker punch in terms of a set piece when one of our players was off the pitch receiving treatment and that was a big moment because it came from a chance we had to score.”