Six-goal drama at St James Park

But four are for struggling Oxford

A combination of spectacular Oxford goals and Exeter's inadequacies combined for a dismal display at St James Park on a beautiful day, as Exeter lost 4-2 to struggling Oxford United. 

The pick of the goals came just before half time as striker Kyle Joseph picked up the ball around the half-way line and drove forward all the way to the edge of the 18-yard box, finishing off his powerful run with a tidy finish into the bottom corner. As much of a wonder goal this was, fingers have to be pointed at the City defence for allowing him to break through. 

Defensive problems were a running theme, which could well be expected because of the number of defensive players Exeter out injured currently. Interim head coach Kevin Nicholson will not have been happy then to see his captain and talisman at the back come off for an injury halfway through the first half, forcing him to bring on academy graduate Ed James for his debut. 

If nothing else, at least another academy success story can be a positive taken from this game. 

The first half was littered with Oxford opportunities; seeing Oxford players in the City box seemed to be the case more often than not. Many a half-chance came and went, most notably an audacious flick from a corner blocked in the box.

Too many times an Oxford player had enough time around the box to pick out a shot, most not coming to anything but giving United more and more confidence coming forward. 

Exeter fouls in dangerous positions kept recurring. The Exeter defence were clumsy in the tackle and Oxford revelled in it.

Their first goal came after Harry Kite tugged on Brannagan’s shirt, giving away a free kick in a very dangerous position. Brannagan played a quick one-two with his teammate and shot through the wall into the net, a mistake Kevin Nicholson later labelled ‘criminal’. Exeter didn’t learn even after they were punished; Oxford came close from set pieces numerous times afterwards. 

Brannagan played a crucial role throughout this entire game, being involved in both the other two goals. One came from his powerful long shot being saved and deflected right to defender Sam Long, the other stemmed from his exquisite touch that took out the whole City midfield, then laying it off to Henry, who's shot was once again saved but not held on to, setting up Kyle Joseph for his second of the game. Both were sloppy goals to concede. 

While City’s defence was questionable at best, not much different could be said about their attack. As much as it was common to see a blue shirt in one box, it was uncommon to see a red and white shirt in the other. One clear chance came from Nombe on the left-hand side - a good team build-up until the shot was dragged badly wide. Although they did score, it was scrappy; Jevani Brown’s turn and shot took a heavy deflected off a defender rose up and over the keeper. A consolation goal – nothing else. 

After the goal City grew into the game more, with most of the play being in their attacking half and a couple of dangerous crosses coming in. But the Oxford defence stayed strong and didn’t give anything away. This was definitely Exeter's best spell of the game – exemplified when youngster Sonny Cox rounded the keeper to score his first ever professional goal. Another academy graduate doing it on the big stage. 

A primarily lacklustre performance from City, which when coupled with Plymouth extending their lead at the top of the table will hurt Exeter fans, many of whom left before the final whistle. However, as Kevin Nicholson said in his post-match interview, the team cannot feel sorry for themselves. They’re still in the top half of the table, and will have their eyes fixed on Forest Green Rovers, away on Tuesday. 

Exeter City starting 11 - 

Blackman, Caprice, Kite, Sweeney (C), Hartridge, Sparkes, Harper, Collins, J.Brown (⚽), Nombe, Stansfield 

Substitutes - 

S.Brown, James, Chauke, Dieng, Jay, Cox (⚽) 

Oxford United starting 11 - 

Eastwood, Long (⚽), Moore (C), Findlay, Brown, McGaune, Henry, Brannagan (⚽), Joseph (⚽⚽), Taylor, Browne 

Substitutes - 

McGinty, Gorrin, Moushinho, Murphy, Anderson, Bodin, Baldock 

LISTEN TO INTERIM MANAGER KEVIN NICHOLSON'S POST-MATCH INTERVIEW WITH RADIO EXE's JOSH TATE HERE.