Under-18 Match Report: Stevenage 0 Exeter City 1

Under-18 Match Report: Stevenage 0 Exeter City 1

In a tightly contested game at the Lamex Stadium, an own goal by a combination of Theo Cutler, George Birch, and Kieran Wilson on the hour mark separated the two sides and propelled the Grecians through against a team that had only lost one league game this season.

Andy Struthers made two changes from the previous week’s match against Cheltenham. Kye Cooper and Kieran Wilson returned to the starting lineup, with the former making his first start since early November, having recently returned from injury. After scoring in the first two rounds, under-16 striker Harry Appleton was named to the bench, along with his age group teammate Sam Down, who backed up Dylan Shanahan in goal.

The hosts started the game brighter than the visitors, winning the first corner within a minute, but the following header went harmlessly over the crossbar.

From that goal kick, City created their first opportunity with a series of free-flowing passes. Harry Crees found Kieran Wilson on the right, and he hammered a low, first-time cross into the penalty area. Cutting inside to meet it, George Birch’s spectacular shot was stopped by a brilliant reaction save from the goalie, and Stevenage cleared the rebound.

City continued to exploit space down Wilson’s flank, and the Scotsman was soon driving into the box. He chose to go alone this time, as his low shot flashed into the side netting, narrowly missing the target.

Stevenage, on the other hand, continued to threaten from set pieces, coming close in the 20th minute. After Jacca Cavendish blocked a shot on the edge of the box, the subsequent corner saw a strong header narrowly clear the bar, keeping the score tied.

Boosted by their near-miss, the hosts gained confidence and began to apply pressure. A rapid overlap down Exeter’s left resulted in a low cross into the penalty box, where a succession of crisp touches concluded with a Stevenage forward scoring for the goal. A crucial block of a

The Greeks continued to create openings, but without a conclusive finish. Just after the half-hour mark, Stevenage capitalized on a defensive lapse in Exeter’s backline. Breaking into the area, the hosts cut the ball back toward the penalty spot, only for Kye Cooper to make a fantastic block that sent the ball over the crossbar.

As the first half came to a close, both teams exchanged half-chances but lacked the cutting edge to test either goalie, leaving the game evenly poised at the break.

City were fortunate not to fall behind as Stevenage threatened to open the score just two minutes into the second half.

The hosts took advantage of a pocket of space high on the right and blasted a low ball into the area. Their number nine shown wonderful awareness by flicking it goalwards from inside the six-yard area, but the ball grazed the outside of the post and bounced out of play.

In a mirror image of the first half’s opening exchanges, City instantly answered by charging forward. Wilson burst through a space in the Stevenage defence and fired a dangerous low cross into the box, but Cutler just missed connecting for a definite goal.

The Grecians maintained their forward momentum, forcing the Boro goalkeeper to make a spectacular save shortly before breaking the stalemate on the hour mark.

City countered with pace and skill, passing the ball out wide to Wilson, who found space at the top corner of the box. His driven ball across the face of goal caused havoc in the six-yard box, as Birch and Cutler both pressed the defence. During the scramble, the ball bounced off a Stevenage player and past the stranded goalie, giving City a 1-0 lead and sparking ecstatic celebrations by the visitors.

After grabbing the lead, the young Grecians went for a second goal right away. Birch tested the goalkeeper with a near-post shot, and Cutler was called offside after a brilliantly weighted through ball from Santino Ohanaka.

As the match progressed, the intensity increased, and with 15 minutes left, Stevenage’s mission grew more

Following the red card, City regained control of the ball and played with increased confidence, with Ohanaka creating a good opportunity from the left. Liam Oakes found him with a brilliant cross-field pass, and City’s number 10 drove to the brink of the Stevenage box before cutting inside and shooting. The home goalkeeper moved fast to block the shot, while his defenders scrambled to clear the danger.

Emotions continued to boil over on the touchline, prompting City Head Coach Andy Struthers to be escorted to the seats as the game’s intensity peaked.

With seven minutes of added time announced, the Greeks dug deep to keep their lead. Stevenage’s wild last drive saw their goalie venture