TAYLOR QUICK TO MAKE HIS POINT
MATT Taylor saluted his Exeter side’s dogged spirit after they were held to a draw by Cheltenham at St James Park.
Chances were few and far between in an uninspiring game on a freezing afternoon in Devon.
Ryan Bowman had the best opportunity for an Exeter side ravaged by injury, illness and suspension, but he dragged a shot wide, while Cheltenham registered only one shot on target.
“I am pleased with our intent, our attitude and the way in which we approached the game,” said boss Taylor.
“It was two good teams, two well organised teams and it was going to come down to one moment of real quality that neither team were able to create on the day, a mistake, or a bit of luck.
“We had that one chance in the first half when their lad slipped, but the rest of it was a match up of one v ones all over the pitch; two good teams with an honest set of players going at it.
“We are disappointed that we didn’t win the game, or threaten their goal more, but it wasn’t for the lack of trying.
“It was going to take something special and we didn’t quite have it.”
It took until the 20th minute for the first chance of the game. A long Jonny Maxted goal-kick went straight through to Exeter striker Bowman, but he dragged his shot wide from 18 yards.
Jack Sparkes then stung the palms of Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Flinders with a rasping shot from distance, but the away side offered little to nothing as an attacking force.
It took the Robins until the 56th minute to have a shot on target and that was an effort from Sean Long that was charged down by an Exeter defender before being gathered by Maxted.
Exeter sub Lee Martin saw a low cross deflect into the arms of Flinders and Randell Williams was off target after cutting in from the right wing, while Cheltenham seemed happy to settle for a point.
Cheltenham endured traffic chaos en route to Devon and were stuck in a two-hour delay on the M5. But manager Michael Duff was happy with a point.
“We looked a lot more solid, it was a good away performance,” he said. “The first half was a bit attritional, but you have to match it and stick with it. We grew into it in the second half and opened up a couple of times. It didn’t quite fall for us and they might as well say the same thing.
“We had to compete and I can’t remember them opening us up at any point.
“We knew we had to deal with the physical side. They do it well particularly with (Alex) Fisher and Bowman.”
EXETER CITY: Maxted 8, Sweeney 7, A Martin 7, Moxey 7, Williams 6, Atangana 7 (Tillson 79, 6), Collins 6, Sparkes 7, Jay 6 (Woodman 87, 5), Bowman 6, Fisher 6 (L Martin 63, 5) Subs not used: Richardson, Hartridge, Seymour, Visser.
CHELTENHAM TOWN: Flinders 7, Raglan 7, Tozer 7, Greaves 7, Long 6, Broom 6, Thomas 6, Doyle-Hayes 7, Hussey 6, Varney 6, Reilly 6 (Addai 84, 5). Subs not used: Clements, Reid, Sheaf, Lovett, Ince, Smith.