Mens 1XI Vs University of Exeter 3rd

A bleak autumnal morning set the scene as the Plymouth University 1st XI prepared to take on Exeter 3rd XI in the second fixture of the new BUCS season. Plymouth were in high spirits having scored copious amounts of goals in the games leading up to this hotly anticipated match but were well aware of the threat Exeter may prove to pose. The last time the teams met, the Plymouth team  were left with nightmares, a score of 3-1 at the Exeter sand astro. The boys knew after the game they had underperformed and were out to prove it at Fort Brickfields. 

The lads arrived at Brickfields in good time, taking in their surroundings before heading into the changing room. In comparison to previous games, the boys were a little more reserved and quiet, perhaps with the result of the last time the teams met playing on their minds. The warm up began in much the same manner but soon intensified and morale was boosted. The game began with both teams trying to test each other out. Exeter were certainly more than worthy opponents, with early phases of nice linkup play and some silky skills on show. Plymouth then began to take a command of the game, dominating possession and territory. Soon Exeter faltered and gave away a penalty flick. Cool as a cucumber, captain Kasto kept his composure, slinging his flick low to the keepers stick side, with a sigh of relief coming from the sidelines. 1-0 Plymouth.

Plymouth maintained the pressure, with a corner being won shortly after. The initial effort was saved with the ball running out to Callum on the edge of the D. He collected the ball and put a shot beating the keeper off the inside of the post, foolishly he wheeled away in celebration, not realising the ball hadn’t crossed the line. The ball rebounded off the post to the far side of the D to be collected and crossed into Marjon, he wasn't going to pass up on such an opportunity. Clinical finishing meant it was 2-0 Plymouth. 

Marjon was enjoying a fine vein of form in the first half, using blistering pace to accelerate from the Exeter defenders playing a delicious low ball into the penalty spot, with fresher Gobbles there to meet it. A nice finish from the 1st year left the net rippling, 3-0. In the build up was also some notable work from Bernie using his deceptively quick speed to have the Exeter left back embarrassed. Shortly after, a venomous shot from Hugo McNeill Love trickled wide of the post much to his frustration. 

Exeter’s concentration had clearly lapsed, with Sammy capitalising on a poor hit out, taking it past 4 Exeter defenders before thundering a hit against the back board. Was it really 4-0 by half time? Plymouth had to stay grounded as the teams went in for half time.

Step up David Fasey, Plymouth’s rock at the back turned hat-trick hero. A new Osaka wand full of magic allowed Plymouth to go 5-0 up, a well taken penalty corner routine with Fasey placing the ball low and hard into the goal. This was a sign of further things to come, with another corner following up. A well executed short came back off the keeper, with fox in the box Myrtle managing to slide a reverse shot underneath the goalie to keep his goal to game ratio looking rosy. 

Plymouth kept up the pressure, with Fasey adding not one but two deflected goals from short corners to bring his tally in the game to three. Not bad for a centre back. Plymouth slipped up with a defensive error allowing an Exeter player to cross a ball in, neatly despatched by one of their forwards to the despair of Führer. Plymouth had lost their clean sheet but this goal was purely a consolation for Exeter who would leave with their tails between their legs after a harrowing 8-1 defeat.

Plymouth now look forward to welcoming Swansea on the 11th of November at Brickfields.