Exeter City left disappointed with performance in Portsmouth defeat

Exeter City defender Zak Jules said the squad were left disappointed with how they performed as their unbeaten start to the League One season ended. The Grecians were not at their best as they were beaten 1-0 by Portsmouth on Tuesday night in front of the Sky TV cameras.

Colby Bishop scored the only goal of the game 20 minutes from time. The striker was fed on the edge of the area, turned Alex Hartridge, and lashed home, for what was the first goal in the league City have conceded this season.

The Grecians struggled for the first half but grew into the game as it went on. Jules, Will Aimson and Pierce Sweeney all had great chances late on to snatch a point, but they went begging, as the Grecians were beaten by high-flying Pompey.

“I think the overriding feeling is disappointment,” Jules said. “The manager gives us freedom to play good football and express ourselves and we didn’t take the opportunity to show what we are about and what we can do.

“We have a group who all want the ball in all situations and today it wasn’t the case. It is a learning curve, a bit of a knock back, but something to learn from and take into the next game.

“Defensively we defended quite well, were under pressure in the first half, and defended ok. You don’t want to be defending as much as that, but we came out the other side at half time, but the goal we conceded was a tough one to take.

“That is the kind of game we have to grind it out and find a way to not lose at the minimum. And we have to put the chances away – even though we didn’t play out the best, if we take the chances, it is a different conversation.”

Jules’ chance came just after the hour when he was picked out by Reece Cole, but headed straight into Will Norris’ arms. Aimson then headed over from close range from a corner, before in stoppage-time, Sweeney drew a point-blank save from Norris when it looked for all the world he would score.

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Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell admitted that his Grecians side were short of their best as they tasted their first defeat of the season – but created enough chances to come away with a point. Colby Bishop’s goal 20 minutes from time was enough for Portsmouth to seal a 1-0 win at Fratton Park in front of the TV cameras and extend their unbeaten start to the season.

Pompey had the better of the early stages, with City goalkeeper Vil Sinisalo making a string of first half saves to keep the game level. But in what turned out to be an end-to-end second-half, Zak Jules wasted a great chance on the hour, heading straight into Will Norris’ arms.

That was costly as on 70 minutes, Pompey broke the deadlock. Sinisalo’s clearance was intercepted on half-way and the ball was played to former Grecian Jack Sparkes. He found Bishop, who turned Alex Hartridge, and then lashed home his second goal of the season.

Exeter had chances to level. Firstly Will Aimson headed over from close range, and then in nine minutes of stoppage-time, Pierce Sweeney drew a point-blank save from Norris when it looked for all the world he would score. He didn’t – as City were beaten for the first time this season.

“The second half we created some good chances, late on their keeper made a fantastic save, Will and Zak had good chances, but overall we have to be better,” Caldwell said. “We have to learn lessons about how we were in possession as we weren’t brave enough and quick enough to play the passing game that we wanted.

“We invited too much pressure by giving the ball away too often. We have to learn lessons quickly and I am sure we will. We are growing as a group but didn’t quite have it tonight. But for a great save though, we come away with a point from a game we could have played much better.

“This is progress from last season where we came and lost 2-0 and to still be in the game so late, it shows the character and resilience of the group. We created good chances through sheer effort and hard work, not through design.

“We didn’t pass it through and created some half chances, and but for the point-blank save, we could have got us back in the game. We need to create a better quality of chance than we did, we will recover, and be better for Saturda

”

After the 0-0 draw with Blackpool on Saturday, Caldwell made two changes to the Exeter City side. In came Jules to bolster the defence, while James Scott was given a start upfront. Reece Cole and Sam Nombe dropped down to the bench – the latter because he had picked up a slight injury and was only fit enough to be named as a substitute.

Demetri Mitchell slashed over from a narrow angle for the Grecians, but Pompey dominated the first half. Alex Robertson for the hosts let fly from 25 yards, as did Conor Ogilvie from a similar distance, both of which saw Sinisalo make fine saves. Manchester City loanee Robertson then curled inches wide of the post.

Just before the hour, John Mousinho’s men created the best chance of the game so far, but Gavin Whyte six yards out fluffed his lines and skewed wide. Jules then met a cross and rose highest at the back post, but his header was straight into the arms of Norris.

On 70 minutes, Portsmouth took the lead. City failed to clear their lines, Sparkes picked out Bishop on the edge of the box. The striker spun Hartridge and then smashed home to break the deadlock. It was the first goal Exeter had conceded in the league this season.

Exeter though rallied and pushed for an equaliser, and they should have got one. Jack Aitchison flicked on a corner and skipper Aimson from inside the six yard box somehow managed to head over the bar. Nine minutes of stoppage-time were added, and in the first of them, Kyle Taylor nodded on a free-kick to Sweeney, but somehow Norris got a hand to his header and pushed it wide.

It was City’s first defeat of the season as they dropped to 11 ^th in the table at this early stage. And they are back on the road on Saturday when they travel to Carlisle United.

“There will be bumps in the road and we have to grow together,” Caldwell added. “Losing is never a nice experience but one we have to learn from and come back stronger. We will react to the result tonight, grow as a group, and be ready for the next challenge.”