Exeter City valuable point becomes brilliant – if they win on Tuesday.
“I think it will prove to be a positive point if we go on to win our next game on Tuesday,” .
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell believes the Grecians’ point away to Wigan Athletic will be a fantastic one if they can win all three points against Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.
The Grecians dug deep to clinch a goalless draw in a dismal game at the Brick Community Stadium, with Caldwell and his old Celtic and Scotland teammate Shaun Maloney sharing the spoils.
It was a game with little chances for either team, as defences were dominant and offensive quality was sparse. But City were grateful to goalkeeper Joe Whitworth for a series of outstanding stops, including a sensational one-handed attempt to deny Will Aimson a goal against his former side in the last action of the game.
The Grecians moved up to 13th in the League One standings after their first draw of the season and their first goalless game since February 13. Wigan remained 16th following their third consecutive 0-0 draw.
“I think it will prove to be a positive point if we go on to win our next game on Tuesday,” Caldwell said the crowd. “I always believe that when you draw a football game, gaining three points in the following game is worth more than losing.
“I think we had really good control of the game. The only thing missing was a cutting edge; we just did not appear to be in possession, which is possible, but I believe both sides balanced one other out. But if we win on Tuesday night, it will hopefully be a huge point.
“We set up slightly differently because we knew Wigan would line up aggressively and push with their two center backs, but I felt the lads’ energy and passion were excellent. The clean sheet is always a good start; we simply wanted to improve our possession in the final third.”
“We didn’t look after the ball well enough, we still had moments in the game where we could have scored, we had a lot of set-pieces, but we couldn’t take advantage of those.”
Caldwell made only one alteration to the starting lineup after last weekend’s 2-0 home triumph against Stevenage. Despite scoring for the third game in a row, Ed Francis was replaced by Amani Richards, who made his debut start for Leicester City on loan.
The early stages were devoid of any significant activity at either end. Aimson headed a free-kick over the bar, but opportunities were few. City nearly gave the Latics an opportunity when Joe Whitworth’s clearing struck Johnly Yfelo, but it bounced into his arms. Silko Thomas curled an attempt well past the crossbar, while Ilmari Niskanen did the same for the Grecians.
However, Wigan should have led after half an hour. Joe Hugill robbed Yfeko of the ball at the edge of his own box. He found Jensen Weir, who passed it over to Thomas, but Whitworth splayed his body wide to wonderfully deny him from close range. Weir challenged Whitworth with a long-range shot in first-half stoppage time, after Wigan had dominated the first 45 minutes.
On the hour mark, Wigan had a solid looking penalty claim when a corner appeared to contact Alli’s arm, but referee Scott Simpson waived it away. At the other end, Kamari Doyle’s 25-yard shot went barely wide of the post, and Francis pushed wide from the outside of the box.
Wigan created the greatest opportunity of the game in the 79th minute. Substitutes Michael Olakigbe and Dale Taylor linked up well, but the latter scuffed his shot from 15 yards out, and Whitworth comfortably made the low save.
The Latics appeared to have the best chance of winning, and they came close in the second of three additional minutes. A free kick from Luke Chambers was swung in; City barely half cleared it to Taylor, but his effort was blocked by Pierce Sweeney, and Whitworth saved it.
There was yet time for one more opportunity. James Carragher whipped in a cross, and Aimson rose highest at the back post, his header appearing to go into the top corner. Whitworth, on the other hand, brilliantly clawed it away to keep the score equal and win a point.
“Goalkeepers are there to keep the ball out of the net and – as Roy Keane would say – he’s just doing his job,” said Caldwell with a grin. “It was a terrific save, but it was most likely the only spectacular save he had to make during the game. Everything else was pretty much down his neck.
“He’s been terrific for us in terms of personality and how we can build around him and exploit his footwork. When he was required, he was there for us, and we’re happy with four clean sheets in seven games.”
Exeter City will travel to Leyton Orient on Tuesday night. Jack Aitchison, who walked off hurt in the first half, may be able to return, according to Caldwell, who claimed it seemed to be a knock but will be assessed.
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