Disappointing second half leaves Exeter with a draw

'Fantastic-four' change at half time helps Fleetwood level game

Having just come out of back-to-back defeats, Exeter hosted Fleetwood Town, but had to settle with a draw.

Exeter started at a high tempo, pressing high and getting the first big chance of the game, Midfielder Reece Cole found right wing back Ilmari Niskanen on the run who crossed the ball into the box but nothing came from it.  

The first shot on goal came from Exeter’s Mo Eisa in a dominant first 15 minutes from Exeter.

But it didn’t take long for Exeter to take the lead. City captain and right centre back Pierce Sweeney found Reece Cole on the run who squared the ball into the box where left wing back Vincent Harper found the back in the 25th minute. 

Exeter had 70 per cent of the ball in the first half. As chances came and went, only Harper's goal divided the teams. Although Exeter had more clear-cut chances, they couldn't capitalise. It's the same old story. In League One, Exeter ranked 23rd in the table of goals per match, having scored 25 in 34 matches before this game.  

Fleetwood made four changes at the break and came out more eagerly and in the first 30 seconds forced a good save from Exeter goalkeeper Viljami Sinasalo. Fleetwood found a rhythm after the break, acting like a completely different team and soon had a goal ruled out for foul play.

They finally managed to level the game. Exeter found themselves in a 2v1 situation where Fleetwood’s Promise Omochere took a shot which keeper Sinasalo got a hand to, but the ball rolled over the line. However, a Fleetwood player in an offside position might have touched it over, but the linesman’s flag stayed down and the goal stood, Sinasalo wasn't happy, made sure his voice was heard, and ended up in the referee's notebook. 

Exeter had thought they had retaken the lead as centre back Will Aimson headed a goal from a few yards out, but the linesmen's flag was up for an offside. 

It capped a very disappointing second half by Exeter. 

Full time: Exeter City 1, Fleetwood 1