Exclusive. Exeter City ‘gave themselves mountain to climb’ after poor start.

“We have to take the last second half of the game into Huddersfield and if we approach with that courage and desire that we had then I don’t think anyone in this league can match us.”

Exeter City captain Pierce Sweeney stated that the Grecians must draw positives from their second-half effort in the defeat at home to Reading, having set themselves a difficult task following a terrible first half.

City fell behind 2-0 at St James Park to the Royals after conceding just 60 seconds with an own-goal.Exeter improved significantly in the second half, halving the deficit with Ilmari Niskanen’s first goal.

Niskanen struck the crossbar as City piled up the pressure on the Royals’ goal in the dying minutes, but they couldn’t get through. Gary Caldwell’s team lost 2-1 for the first time in seven games, dropping to sixth place in League One, but the skipper believed the manner they concluded the game was one of their finest and one they needed to replicate.

“We started really poorly,” the Irishman said. “Our thinking and attitude at the start were not where they needed to be. They rushed us hard, and we didn’t understand where the gap was, putting pressure on ourselves, and we gifted them the first goal in the first minute; I’d never seen anything like that at the football club.

“The second was preventable, and we went in at halftime; there were no harsh words from the manager, and they did not need to be, since they were given by players to one another.

“We started going again, and it was one of the finest second-half performances. We played with courage and heart, creating seven, eight, and nine great chances but failing to score the equalizer.

“We left ourselves a mountain to climb; if we give them a two-goal advantage, all they have to do is defend the box. We were convinced we would produce chances, thrilled with Immy and keen for him to score a goal; arguably he should have had a hat trick, given his unfortunate attempt off the post.

“We have to take the last second half of the game into Huddersfield and if we approach with that courage and desire that we had then I don’t think anyone in this league can match us.”

City had held six consecutive clean sheets, and if they hadn’t conceded for 58 minutes, they would have set a new club record. Instead, after 58 seconds, they fell behind. Johnly Yfeko threw the ball away on the edge of the box to Harvey Knibbs. He found Wareham, who was making his first start of the season, and he turned Tristan Crama before rolling the ball into the corner of the net. It was a horrible beginning.

The score was two just before halftime. Lewis Wing’s effort was blocked, but the City defence appeared to shut down, as Michael Craig hammered home the rebound past a despairing Joe Whitworth.

The second half was equally City’s, and they scored one back shortly before the hour, which had been expected. A good move down the right saw Jack McMillan fire in an enticing low cross. It avoided everyone but Niskanen, who came at the far post and smashed home. It was his first goal with the Grecians and the first since April 2023.

The Finn squandered the greatest opportunities to equalize, hitting the post with a curling attempt before shooting over from close range. Yfeko, Tristan Crama, Josh Magennis, and Jay Bird all had opportunities in a dreadfully short four minutes of stoppage time, but none of them were able to convert, and City lost.