Exeter City secured their spot in the knockout stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy with an impressive 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur’s Under-21s.
The win, secured by Millenic Alli’s opener and a stunning stoppage-time free-kick from 17-year-old Jake Richards, also marked a historic moment as First Team Coach David Perkins became the club’s oldest-ever player at 42.
City’s second win from two group-stage matches guaranteed them at least second place in Group G, putting them safely through to the next round. Manager Gary Caldwell made significant changes to the starting lineup from the weekend’s 2-0 win over Stevenage, with ten new faces coming in. Among them, new signing Mustapha Carayol made his full debut, while five academy players were named on the bench, including youngsters George Birch, Theo Cutler, Liam Oakes, Louie Cayless, and Kieran Wilson.
From the outset, Exeter played with confidence, pressing the young Spurs side. Alli was the first to test Tottenham’s defence, breaking free from an offside trap and firing a shot just over the crossbar. Carayol, looking lively, found himself in promising positions, once delivering a ball to Pedro Borges, whose effort was blocked on the line. Exeter’s momentum continued as Ed Francis, fresh off a run of goal-scoring form, set up a number of attacks, including a long-range strike from Borges that was deflected wide.
However, the Spurs, who were quick on the counterattack, also had their moments. Jaden Williams came close with a shot just wide after a failed clearance by Exeter, and captain Dante Cassanova forced a good save from City goalkeeper Scott MacDonald with an acrobatic flick off a Leo Black free-kick.
The second half saw 17-year-old Liam Oakes introduced for Carayol, giving the youngster valuable experience. Exeter quickly resumed their attack, with Ben Purrington forcing Gunter into a save just seconds after the restart. Borges delivered a teasing ball into the box soon after, but Alli blasted over from close range, missing a golden opportunity.
Alli’s perseverance paid off in the 56th minute, however, when he found himself at the far post to tap home after Borges’ header into a crowded penalty area. Though it wasn’t a glamorous goal, it was enough to ignite Exeter’s momentum, prompting Alli to celebrate with his signature acrobatic routine.
Caldwell then brought on more of his young guns, including Cayless, Cutler, and the 42-year-old Perkins. Though somewhat of a novelty, Perkins’ introduction provided valuable guidance for his less-experienced teammates. His commitment to the cause was evident in a robust tackle on Damola Ajayi, with both players walking away unscathed.
Theo Cutler nearly added a second for Exeter late in the game, racing onto a perfectly weighted pass from Borges, only to fire his effort into the side netting after losing control of the ball. Spurs continued to push for a way back into the game, with Ajayi forcing a corner and the subsequent header hitting the crossbar. However, the young North London side couldn’t find a breakthrough, and their chances dwindled as the game entered stoppage time.
With the match winding down, Exeter found one last opportunity to seal the win. Jake Richards, the 17-year-old making his first start of the season, stepped up to take a free-kick from 25 yards out. In a moment that stunned the crowd, Richards unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner, capping off the evening spectacularly and securing the Grecians’ place in the knockout stages.
Writer’s View
Exeter City’s 2-0 win over Spurs Under-21s was a masterclass in how clubs should treat this competition. From Carayol’s debut to Jake Richards’ spectacular free-kick, it exemplified the good use of squad to give new faces and youth a chance. Gary Caldwell’s decision to rotate the squad while still delivering a solid performance speaks volumes about the depth of the team.
The inclusion of 42-year-old David Perkins added a touch of history, but it was the young player, Richards, who stole the show. With Exeter now safely through to the knockout stages, this performance bodes well for the future, as the mix of experienced heads and talented youngsters continue to drive the team forward.
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