The Cumbrians, minus five first-choice players due to injury and suspension looked decidedly second-rate against a Grecians side who visibly grew in confidence after first half goals from Don Goodman and Santos Gaia. Up until the double whammy by the visitors late in the half, the main interest was provided by scuffling hooligans in the back of the East Stand who were ejected to a chorus of boos from home fans. Crowd trouble has now marred all three of United's home games this season. The game itself was scrappy as United's scratch front pairing of Brian Wake and debutant Marc Nixon tried to build an understanding. Referee Bates took several names including those of Goodman and Mark Summerbell as the game became a little heated. It was Wake who so nearly broke the deadlock midway through the half when he turned neatly away from the defence, drew out keeper Kevin Miller but slipped the ball agonisingly wide of the right hand upright. Exeter, who had created the better openings up to then, saw it as a signal to take the initiative and the breakthrough soon arrived. A header had come back off the underside of the bar when Goodman lost his marker Stuart Whitehead and rose to meet an inswinging corner at the near post to flick his header past Peter Keen. The visitors took what turned out to be a decisive two-goal lead near half-time when Steve Flack's mis-hit pass found its way neatly on to Gaia's boot and he drilled home under the outstretched arm of Keen. Half-time brought a chorus of boos. Brendan McGill, surprisingly left out of the starting line-up, was brought on the start of the second half. It was McGill who had one of the home team's few real openings when he drove a right footed shot wide of the far post from just inside the area. Other than that Miller had little to keep him on his toes. The nearest United came was when a cross was headed upwards by Chris Curran towards his own goal but a back pedalling Miller tipped it over for another corner. United lacked conviction and neither Wake nor Nixon had the sort of service they needed. The crowd were getting on the players backs and clearly Roddy Collins has yet to get the depth of squad necessary to launch a real challenge in this division. Al's verdict: Disappointment for the diminishing numbers at Brunton Park. The 4,806 will soon slip back even further if this is the sort of fare being served up. The loss of three players to suspension hardly helped matters but even so the players that were on duty struggled. McDonagh once again failing to look like a genuine midfielder and Kelly making a home debut that at least had several plus points, despite the defeat. The forwards were starved of real chances although Wake continues to look useful and needs to be given more games to fulfill his potential. We need to be patient, wait for things to come together but the early home displays have not been encouraging. |
