Exeter City Reserves 4 AFC Bournemouth 1
exetercity.co.uk
Exeter City Reserves ran out comfortable 4-1 winners tonight in the totesport.com combination clash with Bournemouth at The Park.
A strong City line-up found themselves three goals up after just 12 minutes and made comfortable work of their first second-string match at St James Park since September.
It took just a matter of seconds for the Grecians to take the lead when Richard Logan flew down the left hand flank and his deep back post cross was headed home by John O'Flynn.
Just seven minutes later it was two when Elliott Frear's left footed cross was met by a lovely header from Troy Archibald-Henville that looped into the top corner.
Troy, wearing the number 10 for his 45 minutes on the pitch, is yet to open his account for the first team but you suspect if he connects with deliveries like he did on this occasion his first goal surely won't be far away.
Logan was arguably the only first teamer from recent weeks lining up for Andy Tilson's side and he showed just why he's been in the starting XI for the majority of the campaign so far with a classy third for the Grecians on 12 minutes.
Jake Thomson sent a lovely long ball from deep in his own half and Logan raced onto it, getting to the ball before keeper Dan Thomas he lofted a chip into the back of the net.
The only downside for City this evening was the Bournemouth goal. Troy under-hit his backpass, the Bournemouth forward beat Artur Krysiak to the ball, cleverly shimmied past him and rolled the ball home.
The three goal lead was restored again on 37 minutes with the final goal of the match, Jake Thomson tried his luck with an optimistic 35 yard looping free kick on the right hand flank which Thomas could only touch over his head and into the far corner of his own net.
Logan and Troy were withdrawn at the interval for Dan Western and Jack Furzer and with the first move of the half it could have been 5-1 when O'Flynn cut inside off the left flank and curled an effort just wide from the angle.
The Irishman had another chance shortly after when Thomson showed searing pace down the right hand side before sending a low cross towards him but his close range shot was kept out.
Aaron Dawson tried his luck with an ambitious half-way line volley while Frear shot just wide after a sensational pass from Rob Edwards. Dawson, Frear and Thomson all had chances as the half wore on but couldn't find another goal for the Grecians.
City Lined Up: Krysiak, Thomson, Bennett, Archibald-Henville, Frear, Cozic, Edwards, Dawson, Stewart, O'Flynn, Logan.
