A Point Gained: Exeter City 0-0 Imps

November 17, 2024 Gary Exeter City, Lincoln City, Matches, Reports 1

There’s a train of thought that we’ve been better without Ethan Erhahon. I’ve seen it bandied about by many supporters whom I respect and who have different opinions to me. My opinion, one I will die on a hill defending, is that we are a much better side when he plays, and the second half proved that. From start to finish, we were better in the second 45, despite losing our captain and having to reorganise, so a right back (Tendayi Darikwa) moved over to centre back. We created more shots (seven, to their two) and more on target (two, to their none), and it felt like we’d be the only ones to score.

It didn’t help that Exeter began to lose their heads. Ryan Woods clearly let Ethan Erhahon get under his skin, picking up a booking for a rash challenge. Sweeney finally got his booking for perhaps the softest challenge of three or four he committed. The ref still had issues, though – a blatant bodycheck on Jack Moylan, a block so obvious even the PGMOL would be able to realise it was genuine, and it went completely unpunished. It was my understanding blocking was to be clamped down on, and while it’s not easy in a melee at a corner, when it’s just two players on the edge of the area, it’s a big call to get wrong.

Still, I thought we played well in the second half, with Darikwa, Erhahon and Roughan all turning in outstanding performances. We got more control on the ball, began to get down the sides a little and maybe, in those latter stages, an Erik Ring or Reeco Hackett could have made a difference. We tried with Duffy, some fresh legs, but there’s a lad who hasn’t played for a while and who is a little rusty. Still, it was good to see him back.

Jack Moylan ran the show in terms of creativity, and he’s got to be a starter in the coming weeks. He created the chance for Jovon, and yes, Jovon might have hoped to at least hit the target (I tell it how I see it, not with a preconception of whether I like the player who missed). Ben House had a good chance as well, firing straight at the keeper after great work down the left, involving Erhahon, Roughan and Moylan. House missed a header, although in fairness, it was fizzed across the box with such venom that he did as well as he could, in my opinion. We knocked on the door, but without really smashing it in, but there’s zero doubt we were the better side.

The game began to fall apart late on as Exeter were happy with their point. They tried taking the ball back into the dugout on one occasion, and that led to some disagreements on the bench that saw Perkins (finally) sent off. I’d like to think that the EFL might have a little word with Exeter about breaking up the play that way. I think they call it ungentlemanly conduct, and if there are yellows issued to the likes of Wickens for kicking the ball away, as there was a few weeks ago at the Bank, then staff holding onto the ball and stopping quick restarts needs to be clamped down on. It was quite nice to see Perkins sent off; he’d wound me up all afternoon (not directly or intentionally, I might add).

Finally, we also got a red card on the field. It hadn’t been a nasty game, but, being honest, Sweeney’s challenges left a bit to be desired. I’ve just watched the one on Sean Roughan’s back from the first half, and in my eyes, it’s a deliberate attempt to hurt the player after the whistle and the ball has gone. I’ve no idea how he’s got away with it, nor how he’s left studs in on House and been adjudged the victim. He was lucky, in my opinion, to stay on the field, and so was McGrandles after a nasty foul while on a yellow. A red was coming, and when it came, it wasn’t really justified. Woods went in on Duffy; it looked nasty at first, but the replay shows it to be no worse than McGrandles second and nothing like Sweeney on Roughan.

Cue the last form of discrimination that seems acceptable, gingerism, as he walked off the field. Social media was rife with things like ‘go forth and multiply you fatherless ginger’ and even I screamed it as he walked off the field. Me. A ginger. I’m ashamed and I’m with you Ryan (metaphorically). #MeToo.

That was the last real action, Thomas Parsons (the ref I’ve moaned about throughout) blew his whistle and the game was done. All the needling and agitation was forgotten as everyone shook hands (not Perkins and Woods, obviously) and we all went home ‘friends’. Of sorts.

If I had to pick a Man of the Match, it would be hard to split Tedayi Darikwa and Jack Moylan. Both had solid game, one a constant threat, the other playing with a calm assurance that reminds me a bit of Liam Bridcutt, in terms of his demeanour. Darikwa exudes experience; he’s cool on the ball, and I think that comes from the flight experience and the big club training, which I saw in Bridcutt. Mind you, if Erhahon had started, he’d be a shout as well, because he was excellent and is a massive boost to the squad.

There is no further need for a summary; I think I did that at the start. Needless to say, I was quite happy with a point prior to the game, and while we were the better side, that will be seen as a good point at the end of the season.

Up the Imps.

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