Exeter City youngsters thrill and show future looks bright

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell was thrilled with the way a youthful Grecians side beat Norwich City in the Premier League UInder-21 Cup and showed that the future certainly looks bright at St James Park.

A side consisting of eight Academy graduates were worthy winners against the Canaries, after dominating for long spells, but it looked as though the Category One club had found an unlikely equaliser when Fin Welch cancelled out an own goal two minutes from time.

But substitute Theo Cutler – another Academy graduate – expertly finished off a superb pass from Caleb Watts in the 90th minute to seal the win, much to the delight of Caldwell, who was watching in the stands.

READ MORE:Exeter City new signing Pat Jones suffers long-term injury

READ MORE:Exeter City new signing Pat Jones wants first-team football

“I thought it was outstanding and to play a Cat One Academy at SJP and the experience that will give the players – no matter what happens – is really good,” he said. “Our boys played with courage that they showed in possession and they played with a clear identity that we want to run right through the Football Club, but also their competitiveness.

“They played it like a real game, they played to win. I thought we were the better team by far and when the equaliser went in, I was gutted for the players. But then again, they showed their resilience to react to that and come back to score a winner.

“I thought it was a brilliant night for the football club. It showed the next batch of Academy players that are coming through and we will look after them and support them and hopefully bring as many as we can into the first team when that time is right. But last night was a really positive night for the Academy and for the Football Club - not just to beat Norwich, but beat them in the way that we did with the style of football that we played. It was superb.”

Having won 4-1 at Bromley in their opening group game, the Grecians are two wins from two and will have high hopes of finishing in the top two, which would see them progress to the last 16. Bristol City are the other team in their group and they are next up for Dan Green’s side, but not until November 11.

“We want to play other teams and get through the group and test ourselves to see where we are individually and collectively and that’s important,” Caldwell added. “Winning is important and as much as we want to develop our style of play, we want to develop individuals and you need to know when you are coming into a football environment, winning is very, very important.

“The style of play and how we won was really impressive and that’s important as well, that we continue right through the tournament playing in that way and win more games to get through the group.”

Meanwhile, Caldwell revealed that Kevin McDonald is back at St James Park after his release by Bradford City. It is unclear yet whether the now 35-year-old will be offered terms by City, but he would be free to sign having parted company with the Bantams on transfer deadline day.

“Kev contacted me a few weeks ago, he has obviously left Bradford and was looking for somewhere to train,” Caldwell said. “He was a brilliant personality and character when he played in his brief spell here, so we brought him in to train with the group. He’s been his normal ‘Big Kev’ and fitted in seamlessly! It’s good to have him back.”

McDonald was a huge hit after signing for Exeter in January 2023, scoring three times in just 11 appearances. He turned down the offer of a one-year deal to join Bradford that summer, but he made only 23 appearances for the League Two side before his release.

In October 2023, McDonald was made caretaker player-manager at Valley Parade after the sacking of Mark Hughes and before current incumbent Graham Alexander was appointed boss a month later.

On leaving Bradford, the former Scotland international said: “I would like to start by thanking each and every one of you Bradford City fans for your incredible support throughout my time here.

“I was faced with some very different and challenging circumstances last season, but always tried to give everything for the club, and you thankfully recognised and appreciated that. You have all been immense.”