Totesport.com Combination
Exeter Res 2 United Res 4
Exeter: Krysiak; Keats, Bennett, Dawson, Heath, Furzer, Thomson, Western, Bassett, Watson, Frear. Subs: Armstrong-Ford (gk), Ingham, Phillips, Nichols, Searle.
Goals: Watson (pen), Phillips
United: Potter; Senda, Palmer, Charnock, Rowe-Turner, Macklin, Lathrope, O'Kane, Halpin (Taylor 82), Yeoman (Spear 68), Kee. Subs: Taylor, Parrish, Lang, Kitscha (gk)
Goals: Kee, Halpin, Yeoman, Macklin
Att: 388
A strong United line-up produced a strong performance in their latest Totesport.com Combination match with a 4-2 victory at St. James' Park against Exeter City. Goals from Billy Kee, Saul Halpin, Ashley Yeoman and Lloyd Macklin gave United four goal lead that they were never going to surrender.
United's first goal came in the 7th minute when some good play on the left finished with Lloyd Macklin crossing in for Billy Kee to head home from six yards. The Gulls had started the match a touch sharper than their hosts although City should have equalised when Bassett headed wide at the far post from a left sided free-kick.
United took a two goal lead on 15 minutes when a superb three man move down the left involving Lloyd Macklin, Billy Kee & Saul Halpin ended with Halpin pushing the ball past his marker skipping around him and the 'keeper before slotting home from a tight angle. The Gulls' third goal came just four minutes later when a good left wing cross from Halpin caused a scramble in the City goalmouth and Ashley Yeoman popped up with the final touch.
Danny Potter was called into action minutes before half-time when a quick break from City left Bassett with a shooting chance but Danny tipped the ball over. There was still time in the first half for former Gull Jake Thomson to collect a booking for a foul on Saul Halpin but the match was played in a very good spirit.
Exeter began the second period in a positive manner but it was United who scored the game's fourth goal. A great piece of vision by Eunan O'Kane released Lloyd Macklin down the left and he beat his marker near the deadball line and then directed the ball past Krysiak and inside the far post; a classy finish.
As the match progressed the clear-cut chances diminished but there was still plenty of positive play from United. Exeter were handed a scoring opportunity when the referee awarded a penalty after a foul by Kieran Charnock and Watson scored from the spot to pull a goal back.
There was still time at the death for City to score a second with Phillips knocking one in at the far post but the Gulls had the stronger line-up on paper and that proved to be the case. Another good run out for United's squad and plenty of positives to take from the match.
