Exeter's youngsters make it two from two

I may ‘only’ have been a Premier League Under-21 Cup game, but those given the shirts took the opportunity to impress watching Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell in a 1-0 win over Brentford B at St James Park on Tuesday night.

- STUART JAMES [e-mail]

Luce Woodhouse headed home the only goal of the game just four minutes from time as the Grecians picked up another win in the competition against a strong Bees development side.

After a 1-0 win against Luton Town, it is now two wins from two for the Grecians, who sit proudly on top of a four-team group that also includes West Bromwich Albion, who the Grecians face in two weeks’ time.

However, it wasn’t just the win that was welcome, but the performances of several players as well, which delighted Kevin Nicholson, who was leading the group for this fixture.

“I loved tonight,’ Nicholson said. “I loved the players and their attitude, I loved how hard they worked for each other; the humility they showed to track back, work hard and back each other up - they never showed any disappointment.

“If things went wrong then no problem, they got on with it and if something didn’t quite go their way, not a problem, they got on with it.

“We made changes after an hour and some young boys came on and into a game that they wouldn't have experienced before in terms of the quality they were up against, the physicality and athleticism, but wow, they gave it an incredible go.