Exeter City 2 Tottenham Hotspur U21s 0 - Grecians through to Bristol Street Motors Trophy knockouts

Goal celebrations for  Millenic Alli of Exeter City  during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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Exeter City are through to the knock-out stages of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy with a game to spare after a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur U21s. A Millenic Alli goal, before Jake Richards’ first senior goal in stoppage-time with a stunning free-kick was the difference at St James Park as the Grecians claimed the win.

Pedro Borges saw a shot cleared off the line while Ed James saw a header glance just past the post as the Grecians edged a first half that was short of much real goalmouth action. Ben Purrington 20 seconds into the second half saw a header well saved, before Alli blazed a sitter over the crossbar.

But the Irishman did break the deadlock in the 55th minute when he scrappily bundled home from a corner from close range to make it 1-0. Theo Cutler missed the best of the chances to make the latter stages to make it more comfortable for the Grecians, before Richards smashed home a stunning free-kick in added-on time.

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The victory puts City on six points atop the group – and whatever happens in the remaining fixtures, they are into the knockout stages – although a home round of 32 tie is not yet secured mathematically. Spurs, as well as Bristol Rovers and Swindon, will have to fight over the second qualifying spot

From the 2-0 win over Stevenage on Saturday, exeter-city-fc>Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell made ten changes to the starting line-up, with only Ed Francis retaining his spot in a heavily rotated side. Shaun MacDonald was in goal, James, Jack Fitzwater, who captained, and Purrington were the back three. Caleb Watts and Mustapha Carayol were the wing-backs, with Richards and Borges alongside Francis in midfield. Sonny Cox and Alli started upfront. The bench was full of six youngsters – and David Perkins.

Sonny Cox of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Sonny Cox of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

It took ten minutes for either side to create anything of note and when it came it was the Grecians with the first chance. A nice move saw Carayol in down the left, but he slipped when he cut inside to shoot. Purrington then fizzed in a teasing cross which was well defended. At the other end, Maeson King tested MacDonald with a low shot.

City came closer in the 13th minute when Alli burst into the box, but got too much power on the strike which rose over the crossbar. The Irishman then played a beautiful ball into the box which Cox just couldn’t get a touch on. The chances for City kept coming though as Carayol picked out Borges, but his shot was blocked on the line.

Jaden Williams had a golden chance for Spurs after a well-worked move, but the youngster from ten yards saw his strike whistle inches wide of the post. The Grecians then went straight up the other end and did see the ball find the back of the net, but Cox was ruled to have been offside and the flag went up well before he slotted home.

Spurs, just as Ange Postecoglou’s side do, were playing with a very high line, defending the half-way line, and twice Cox looked like he had broken the offside trap only to see the flag raised. On 35 minutes he did time the run right, picked out Francis on the edge of the box, but his shot was palmed wide by Luca Gunter. The goalkeeper then kept out Cox’s header from the corner, while from another set piece, James’ glancing header was just off target.

Caldwell made one change at the break, with Liam Oakes replacing Carayol, and within 20 seconds, the 17-year-old fashioned the best chance of the match. His cross was met by an onrushing Purrington, but he headed straight into the arms of Gunter. Leo Black though for Spurs had an even better chance when he was unmarked six yards out, his glancing header went wide.

Millenic Alli of Exeter City looks dejected after missing during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Millenic Alli of Exeter City looks dejected after missing during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

The chances were getting better and 51 minutes, Exeter couldn’t believe they weren’t ahead. Watts’ cross was only half cleared to Alli. The Irishman was eight yards at best out, with a free shot on goal. Somehow he blazed it over the crossbar.

Five minutes later though, he atoned as he opened the scoring. Francis’ corner was deep, Borges did well to leap high and nod it back across goal, and the striker bundled the ball home from close range. It was scrappy and scruffy, but they all count, and his third of the season redeemed his earlier miss.

Goal celebrations for Millenic Alli of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Goal celebrations for Millenic Alli of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

That was Alli’s last meaningful action as midway through the half Caldwell made a triple sub. Off came Watts and Francis as well, with Cutler, Cayless and Perkins coming on. Cayless when he appeared three weeks ago was Exeter’s second youngest player. Perkins at the age of 42 years and 94 days became the Grecians’ oldest ever player.

Cox saw a shot from distance saved as Caldwell’s men pushed for a second goal. And they nearly got one on the break. Borges slipped in Cutler, making only his second appearance for the senior team. He was one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his touch as he tried to round him was a bit heavy, and he fired into the side netting.

Wayne Burnett rung the changes as his academy side looked to find an equalizer. Damola Ajayi came close after a mazy run, but MacDonald was equal to the effort. Williams then saw a header from a corner loop onto the crossbar as Spurs valiantly fought. Kieran Wilson replaced Cox for his City debut late on.

Six minutes of stoppage-time were added-on. But Spurs couldn’t find an equalizer – and indeed, Borges nearly added gloss, only to be denied by a great save from Gunter. But four minutes into stoppage time, City did make it 2-0. Richards lashed home a free-kick from 25 yards in off the crossbar to seal the victory.

Goal celebrations for Jake Richards of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Goal celebrations for Jake Richards of Exeter City during the Bristol Street Motors Trophy match between Exeter City and Tottenham Hotspur u21s at St James Park, Devon on 24 September 2024. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

City top the group with six points from two games and are through. Spurs in second have two from two, with Bristol Rovers on one from one, and Swindon zero from one. Exeter City are back in League One action on Saturday when they travel to Wigan Athletic.

Exeter City: Shaun MacDonald, Ed James, Jack Fitzwater, Ben Purrington, Caleb Watts (Louis Cayless, 67), Jake Richards, Ed Francis (David Perkins, 67), Pedro Borges, Mustapha Carayol (Liam Oakes, 46), Sonny Cox (Kieran Wilson, 85), Millenic Alli (Theo Cutler, 67)

Subs: Harry Lee, George Birch

Booking: Richards