After their goal, the balance swung back in our direction, the switch probably helped somewhat because it gave us a new shape and asked Exeter questions. Suddenly, from being on the front foot, they retreated and we looked like scoring. One effort had apparently crossed the line by some distance, but again the officials didn’t give us the decision. I’m not going to criticise the ref, it’s too easy and he was equally as bad for both sides, but Paul Tisdale and Danny have both alluded to being as unhappy as each other. It’s easy to be pragmatic when you’ve won.
Win we did, courtesy of our very own super sub, the faux-Brazilian Ollie Palmer, the man who has gone from zero to hero, the name on everyone’s lips after an hour of a game. I’ve apologised enough for slating him earlier in the season, I won’t do it again. He’s proven his worth, just like Elliott has and once again it was he who smashed home the winner. This time there was no flag, no killjoy referee spotting fouls that weren’t there, just the big old lump charging up the line, whipping his shirt off and getting another booking. I might start chucking a fiver on him to get a yellow because he’s good for it whenever he scores.
From there the game went end to end, they pushed and created chances, we broke and could have added a fourth. The game pulsated back and forth, rippling with excitement and breaking only for the ball to cross the half way line in either direction. It’s why we come and watch football, it’s why we endure those 0-0 draws because one day, you get a 3-2 that could have been 6-6. We were the better side, not by much but we were. I was a relieved man when the final whistle went though because Exeter definitely had another goal in them if we had another ten minutes. We did too.
You don’t qualify for the play offs by being seventh in March, but you do give the side renewed hope. That win was earned, it was carved out of a tough game by a dedicated, hard-working bunch of players who stuck to their jobs despite losing the early goal. It was wrestled from the arms of a very good Exeter side, a side we may yet have to face again in May. It showed character, not so much from coming back after the early goal, but for finding more reserves of energy after they levelled. It was League Two at it’s best, sometimes lacking in quality but always threatening to break out into a goal fest. I tell you something else, it was contested fairly between two robust but honest teams.
After today, I have a lot of respect for Exeter City. I like Paul Tisdale, he’s a manager who cuts away excuses and bluster and tells honest stories about what he’s seen. For 400, their fans made more noise than some much bigger crowds and they kept singing throughout. I don’t often gush about our opponents, but if we did have to pick a side to be in the end of season lottery with us, I’d rather them than Mansfailed or Notts County. Respect where it is due and all that. Mind you, it’s easy to be nice about a side when you’ve beaten them, isn’t it?
So we go on to Carlisle needing another three points if we can get it. Last Easter Monday we travelled up north, albeit to the east rather than the west, but the parallels are there to be seen. Today, a side from Devon ended up having a lead overturned and we scored late, just like Torquay. Now we’re going to a side we beat by a three-goal margin in August (as we did Gateshead), who play in a stadium far too big for their current fan base (like Gateshead), needing a win to help our promotion push. They say lightening doesn’t strike twice. we’ll see.
For those who have asked, I’ve started breaking the longer blogs into two pages to make them more readable, especially when there’s pictures to load which often slowed things down. Just so you know.
In the main, I agree with you Gary. What did surprise me was the starting selection of centre backs. To my mind it should have been Waterfall in the back two with Bozzie sweeping, especially against a team like Exeter who are, as their league position proves, a quality side in this division. As for the afternoon’s entertainment… AWESOME! The first time this season I’ve spent more time off my seat than on it. A win on Monday and a third on the trot at Wembley and I am going to be an extremely happy Imp… Bring it on!
Wholeheartedly agree with your appraisal of the game Gary, exactly the way I saw it.
I fully agree with DC’s selection as well, Bozzy had to start at the back. For Bozzy to start in midfield we have to drop either Freck or Whitehouse. That wouldn’t be right, so Waterfall has to sit it out for the time being.
The only slight criticism I would have, is the big man. I’d much rather see us start with a front three of Rowe, Green in the middle & Harry the other side. Rheady does what he does, but I just think we’re better when we’re more patient & subtle in our build up.
A really good game despite one of the most bewilldering referee performances of the season. You could even tell by the Exeter player reactions to the disallowed goal, why was it disallowed?!
Elliot Whitehouse was definitely my man of the match, I actually do not think he ever has a bad game.
I have been a bit worried about our defending of set pieces/corners, for some time, I am sure it wil be sorted.
Really impressed with Exeter Managers post match reaction, a lot of other opposing managers could do with a bit of his professionalism.
Don’t know if you noticed but the boss did exactly as I suggested in the latter stages of the game to shut Exeter down…. i.e, Waterfall to centre back and Bozzie into the sweeping position, again to my mind this should have been the starting formation!
Good comments Gary , this was probably one of my favourite matches of the season, a thoroughly enjoyable watch throughout,a shame either side had to lose , very impressed by the comments by their manager and on their club social media , not just labelling us a long ball side .
Thought Exeter were a good side and they showed both sides of their game control and also offensively . Just thought we wanted it a bit more and got both unlucky and lucky breaks within the game .
Some very strange decisions from the ref at times .
Anyway Eardley and Whitehouse were the standout performers.
With family stuff etc, it is the first game I have made in the flesh this season and absolutely loved it. We controlled the first half, but it was incredibly dull. The second half was just pure entertainment that anyone can enjoy without having to have a rewatch of who was where and how they were controlled in zones etc.