Finishers do the job for Exeter to Caldwell’s delight
EXETER City might not have wanted to have fallen behind late on at home to Peterborough United - but were prepared in advance if they did - and it showed.
Ephron Mason-Clark’s volley eight minutes from time had put the Posh 2-1 at St James Park on Saturday, but two even later goals from the Grecians ensured Gary Caldwell’s men claimed a dramatic three points.
Firstly, Sam Nombe - at the third attempt - managed to poke home from close range to level. And then, two minutes into stoppage-time, Jevani Brown got on the end of a through ball from Jay Stansfield and placed the ball into the top corner to win it.
Nombe had been dropped to the bench ahead of the game as Caldwell felt the clash against the promotion chasers needed a ‘finisher’ like the striker to be able to change the game if needed. And having fallen behind, City switched Jake Caprice to left wing-back, and moved Josh Key further forward to right wingback - and both were influential in the second goal
The victory saw the Grecians rise back up to ninth in the League One table and Caldwell was delighted with the performance and character his squad showed in what was his first home game at St James Park.
“I am delighted with everyone, not just the starters, but the finishers, and it was a real team effort,” the Scot said. “We have starters and finishers, not substitutes, and those not playing from the start are part of the team as they help us see out a game or win a game.
“I have left big players out but they buy into it and they understand the reasons why and they are important off the bench to help us. I am seeing what I would like from a matchday. We were well prepared and thought out, and I am starting to see the process I would like to be ready to perform.”
Nombe was dropped to the bench and replaced by skipper Matt Jay in the starting line-up, with Caldwell saying it was a tactical choice he felt they needed to make for the opposition.
Stansfield and Jay were selected either side of Brown, and the manager said that he needed the defensive work that the pair would offer perhaps more than the striker, and hailed the brilliant job they did.
“Sam was disappointed and it was unfair he was dropped, but I said he would come on and help us win the team, and he did that,” Caldwell said. “We need everyone contributing every single day, and we did that.
“They are a good side and put us under pressure and 2-1 down late in the game, it is a big ask. But we made the changes and went really aggressive. We had to make changes but they were ones we discussed as staff before the game, so when the moments happened, we were prepared to do so. It was a real team effort and that is how it has to be.”
Tim Dieng had opened the scoring midway through the first half for City, heading home from a Brown corner for his second of the season. But Jonson ClarkeHarris drilled home an excellent equalizer, before Mason-Clark gave Grant McCann’s men a late lead. City rallied and with Nombe and Brown’s late goals, their 10th and 11th of the season, gave Caldwell a winning home start.
He added: “It was an incredible football match and a huge win for us. The character, desire, along with the quality they showed in the game, that will take you a long way in football, and late in the game, against a top team in this league, to come back and win the way