CITY BACK TO WINNING WAYS...
Highly-rated midfielder’s special goal is identical to his Boxing Day blockbuster
STAND-IN skipper Archie Collins may have said this week he wanted to add more tap-ins to his game, but it was another longrange screamer that set Exeter City on their way to all three points against Stevenage.
Collins’ strike came after he drove forward to the edge of the area and from 25 yards out, on his weaker left foot, smashed the ball in off the crossbar and into the top corner.
It was the 21-year-old’s third goal of the season - his fifth in total for City - all of which have come from outside the box, and was almost identical, other than being on his other foot, to his goal against Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day.
And Collins, speaking after the 3-1 win, said that the Grecians need to start turning some of their more recent draws into wins as they look to achieve that promotion from League Two.
It was only the second win in nine for Matt Taylor’s side, and ended a five match winless run. However, the three points sees them move to within a point of the play-offs with games in hand on those above them, including tomorrow’s opponents, Morecambe.
“It was a performance we were due and after the run that we have been on, we needed that performance, and the three points are so valuable for us,” Collins said.
“Tuesday is a winnable and is another three points that we want tick off. We need to start building a run, progressing, and turning the draws into wins, and that’s the way forward for this team at the moment.
“We have created chances all year, and some games you put to bed and some you don’t, but today we took the chances and were delighted with the win.”
On his goal, Collins added: “It was a good move, and when it opened up and I thought I can drive into the space, and thought why not and put my foot through it and it went into the top corner as well. I struck it nicely and it went in off the crossbar again, and I’m buzzing with that one.”
Collins’ goal had given City the lead and despite being the better of the two sides, it took until the 78th minute before doubling the advantage when Matt Jay struck home a deflected effort from the edge of the box.
Elliott List pulled one back for Boro moments later when unmarked from a corner, but Ryan Bowman sealed the win five minutes from time, curling home from the angle of the box to give City the win that moves them up to eighth in the table.