Exeter City 1 Cambridge United 0 – The Grecians win again and move up the league.

Ryan Woods’ first goal in seven years proved to be the difference as City won 1-0.

Exeter City won consecutive games and extended their undefeated streak to five with a gritty 1-0 victory against Cambridge United at home.

Ryan Woods’ first goal in nearly seven years broke the deadlock for the Grecians midway through the first half. The midfielder rifled home into the top corner after a corner was not cleared, giving the team a well-deserved lead.

City had been in charge, but the United were a different team after the interval, generating a number of chances to equalise. Despite their efforts, they were unable to score, allowing Exeter to win the game.

Exeter, who preserved their sixth consecutive clean sheet, moved up to seventh place in League One, only missing out on the play-offs due to goal difference. Cambridge’s setback placed them at the bottom with only one point, and it was their ninth loss in a row. They extended their winless streak to 19 games, stretching back to April 1, and once again drew a blank in front of the goal.

After a 1-0 win against Leyton Orient on Tuesday, Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell made three changes to the starting lineup. Tristan Crama was replaced due to illness, with Kamari Doyle and matchwinner Amani Richards dropping to the bench.

In came the fit-again Jack Aitchison and Millenic Alli in attack, while Jack Fitzwater moved into the heart of defence, making his first league appearance of the season and only his second start in a year. Jay Bird appeared in a League One team for the first time this season since his summer arrival, while Caleb Watts was absent because he was serving the first of his three-game ban following his red card midweek.

City were patient in the early phases of the game, but they maintained control and generated the first opportunity in the tenth minute. Ilmari Niskanen broke down the left and put in a low cross that Josh Magennis met on the slide, with Vicente Reyes valiantly stopping the attempt; both men required treatment. The next chance fell to Niskanen, who slipped in behind the defense but couldn’t make a clean header.

Aitchison was next to threaten, but his volleyed effort was deflected behind for a corner. The Grecians took the lead from a set piece in the 23rd minute. Reyes flapped in response to Ed Francis’ delivery, and the U’s failed to clear their lines. The ball bounced around the box before falling to Woods, who touched the ball on the perimeter of the box before smashing it into the top corner. It was his first goal for the club, his first since November 4, 2017, and his fifth overall.

City was ahead and looked to extend their lead. Aitchison found Alli with a cross following a beautiful play, but the Irishman headed over. He then turned provider to find Jack McMillan, but his poked effort was successful. Magennis suffered an injury in the 36th minute and was replaced by Richards.

Exeter led but couldn’t add a second before the interval, with Richards and McMillan colliding after Pierce Sweeney slipped a ball through, and Johnly Yfeko heading straight into Reyes’ arms. But City were completely dominating at halftime.

Neither manager made a change at halftime, but Garry Monk’s side should have equalised within 20 seconds. Yfeko recklessly gave the ball away; a cross was fizzed in, and while Dan Nlundulu couldn’t handle it, it broke to Elias Kachunga, who shot straight at Joe Whitworth from 10 yards out. On the opposite end, Francis curled a free kick barely over.

The U’s, on the other hand, improved significantly after the interval, and Fitzwater had to mount a hard effort to deny Nlundulu. Michael Morrison headed over from the subsequent corner, then Ryan Loft struck a 20-yard volley that Whitworth saved.

As City slowed, Nlundulu pulled another chance wide, followed by Korey Smith’s deflected attempt and Jubril Okedina’s header barely over from the corner. On a rare City assault, Richards fired wide.

It was his final action, as he and Aitchison were substituted after 72 minutes, with Doyle and Sonny Cox going on to try to regain control. However, Whitworth was called upon to save a dipping Danny Andrew free kick, and Brandon Njoku had the ball in the net, but an offside flag had already been raised earlier in the action.

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