Amond challenges Grecians to bounce back
GOALSCORER Padraig Amond admitted it was a disappointing night for Exeter City as their record unbeaten run came to an end in a 3-1 loss at Colchester United, writes Daniel Clark.
First half goals from Sylvester Jasper and Noah Chilvers put the U’s two up by half-time, despite the Grecians having had the majority of the play.
Amond came off the bench to grab one back with 20 minutes to go, before Sam Nombe had a goal controversially ruled out for offside, but with the momentum firmly in City’s favour, Freddie Sears on the break sealed the win for the hosts.
After a 20 game unbeaten run, a club record, and what was the longest in English football, it was a first defeat since August for Matt Taylor’s men, although other results ensured they stayed second in the League Two table, and the on-loan Newport County man said that the hectic nature of the fixtures means they can bounce back at Rochdale this weekend.
“I suppose it was inevitable it would happen,” he said, on the end of the run. “It was impossible to stay on it, we have been proud of it, but it’s come to an end. We get a short turnaround and we can bounce back and go back on another run and that’s the one thing we can take from it.
“It was a disappointing first half in a sense. There was not much in it and the goals were a kick in the teeth. It was disappointing to concede as we did but we got back into it, but the third knocked the stuffing out of us again.
“It was a massive sucker punch as the tie started to turn and it looked like only one team would get the goal. Our fans kept going and it sounds cliched but to travel this distance on a freezing Tuesday night is a credit to them and a pity we couldn’t get the result for them tonight.”
Amond’s goal, which was his third for the club, and first in the league, came in scruffy fashion. After a corner was half-cleared, Josh Key headed the ball back into the danger zone, Nombe had an effort saved and the Irishman was alive to the rebound and poked home from close range.