It’s been the norm for travelling Grecians that we normally have a great day out, but have it ruined by 90 minutes of football. Somewhat confusingly we’ve been getting great days out and some great football this season.

Saturday 9th February meant a trip to Morecambe. Could we get a record 10th away win of the season.

I had a big question on the morning as to whether I should even be going. The wife had been ill all during the night. However, this dutiful husband took his guilt trip and caught one of the first trains out of Aldershot. To save those all important pennies, we were travelling by London Midlands to Crewe so a slower journey. Time for a quick pint near Gresty Road, Crewe and we then arrived at our destination pub (the York Hotel in Morecambe) at 10 to 2, probably the latest we’ve got to the footie pub for a long time. A good number of fellow Grecians in attendance at the pub.

An hour later we all troop off down some bridal path. Arriving at the Globe Arena to hear the final preliminaries before kick off, and not a single steward in sight, or any sign pointing the way foraway fans. Inevitably we went the wrong way! Some did the full anti-clockwise circuit and the rest of us retracing our steps when realising our mistake. Got in just in time for the kick off, having negotiated a steep stand to go to row P near the back. The away standing terrace was closed, a great pity and our complaints about paying an extra fiver to get in fell of deaf ears.

The first visit to the new stadium for Exeter City. The second season for the Globe Arena. Goodto see that there was 3 standing terraces, even if the away terrace is only opened for really big away crowds. The design was a bit odd, if standing to the block to my left you’d have your vision of the left hand corner post obscured by what I think was the press box. But at least the stewards allowed us to stand . About 150 City fans in attendance.

As to the game. No Alan Gow. As announced on Exeweb, Gow is out for 3-4 weeks. Would we miss him? The first half was a typical one from City away from home. Let the home team play their game, but frustrate them. Anything that they try, doesn’t succeed. Doesn’t always make for a great entertainment, but can be effective if the goalie and defenders are at the top of their game, and no stupid mistakes are made.

Probably the most significant moment of the first half, was Jimmy Keohane leaving the pitch bloodied after a clash of heads. City thankfully coped well for the 5 minutes he was missing, and he returned with a clean numberless shirt. Not much for either keeper to do during the half.

In the second half both teams upped their tempo. The physical nature of the game also increased. It was good to see the City players give back as much as they were given. Mark Molesley getting a lot of punishment from their players, but he was unbothered by it all. Kevin Ellison seem to be the most brutal of the Morecambe players, but it was he that managed to get Molesley booked with his “writhing in agony” after Molesley made a great tackle getting the ball then taking out Ellison. But to the anger of City fans, a yellow card was issued and the previously prone Elllison leapt to his feet.

On 50 minutes, Morecambe had the easiest of chances to go ahead. Some superb movement and passing by Morecambe near the half way line, saw Lewis Alessandra free of any City defenders. A 1 on 1 with Artur Krysiak ensued, we all held our breath, Artur made himself big but Alessandra got round him, surely he would score? But he didn’t! Somehow blasting the ball in to the stand behind the goal. Much laughter from the travelling faithful.

The game then turned in favour of the Grecians. In the 61st minute, Tommy Doherty played a superb ball through for Jamie Cureton to collect. He coolly slotted the ball under Morecambe keeper, Barry Roche. 1-0. Krysiak was called in to pull off an excellent save from a free kick, the ball took a double deflection and Artur well to get down to it and make sure it went past thepost.

Morecambe’s manager Jim Bentley used up all 3 of his substitutes, but they made no difference. City turned on the style, and dominated the remainder right, Arron Davies needed no hesitation in scoring by the right hand upright.

With City totally dominant, the only question was “could we exact revenge” for the 3-0 home defeat? 4 minutes of added time, and Cureton’s takes the ball ball down the right wing. Cureton passes it to Molesley who has no way through, so gives the ball back to Cureton on the edge of the box and near the byline. An impossible angle, so we expected him to take the ball to a better position. But with Cureton’s experience and talent he doesn’t know the meaning of impossible! He shoots and he scored. Absolute delight from the players and the travelling fans. Another candidate for goal of the season. Grecian Greg captured the goal, have a look here  to see how good it was!

The final whistle was soon blown. A record 10 away wins in one season for the Grecians. A standing ovation for the players. A melee in the middle as Morecambe’s Kevin Ellison wants to fight Artur Krysiak, for reasons unknown. Steve Perryman grabs Arron Davies and brings him to the away support, and berates us to give the goal scorer our support. Not a problem Perryman, this is an away crowd, always appreciative of our men in blue.

So who were the key players? My man of the match was Mark Molesley. Key to our play, hard working dished out the punishment as much as he was given it. Tommy Doherty was instrumental in the middle of the field making things happen. Jimmy Keohane ran and got involved, a few mis-placed passes, but he is a great prospect for us. Arron Davies, was good to see him get a goal. Artur was confident and commanding of his box. Kevin Amankwaah had a number of roles during the game, but always looks dangerous when allowed to run. Of course we should mention Jamie Cureton. 18 goals now in the season, he just scores when he wants! Did we miss Alan Gow? No, a good team performance as well some excellent individual ones meant that he wasn’t missed.

So, a good game to be at, another win on the road. A long journey home, complete in good spirits. Pub first and a look at the statute of Eric Morecambe on the seafront. Home after midnight, but not a bother. Good company to boot. Wonder if I should do the Burton away game?

Pictures from Cheggers, here.

Club’s match report – http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/?pageView=full#anchored

Match Stats:

Morecambe Exeter
0 3
Cureton ’61
Davies ’85
Cureton ’90
Line-up
01 Roche 01 Krysiak
02 Fenton 03 Woodman
06 Haining 04 Bennett
08 Wright 05 Baldwin
22 Parrish 06 Coles Booked
10 Williams 16 Amankwaah
11 Ellison 11 Davies
16 Drummond 14 Doherty Booked
18 McDonald  ↔ Burrow – 69′ 22 Keohane
09 Alessandra ↔ Redshaw – 61′ 28 Molesley Booked
26 Holroyd ↔ Mwasile – 81′ 12 Cureton
Substitutes
25 Arestidou 24 Evans
12 Parkinson 02 Tully
23 Doyle 37 Moore-Taylor
20 Mwasile 23 Dawson
14 Burrow 32 Gosling
27 Redshaw 21 Bauza
35 Reid
Ref: Bratt
Attendance 1840
54%  Possession 46%
6  Shots 11
2  On target 6
4  Corners 4
13  Fouls 9
 Most fouls
Wright Molesley
4 3
0  Yellow cards 3
0  Red cards 0

By Hants

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