Nine-man Exeter keep Newport County at bay in South Wales

Exeter City maintained their promotion aspirations with a remarkable display in South Wales, earning a precious point in eventful circumstances.

The Grecians made a bright start, with Matt Jay especially prominent but the advantage soon swung heavily to the home side as referee Tom Nield considered Alex Hartridge’s tangle with Nicky Maynard worthy of a very “Early Bath.” A red card sent Hartridge on the long walk to the dressing room at the far end of Rodney Parade.

This meaty encounter continued as County looked to make their advantage pay. The visitors were having none of it though, their big target man Ryan Bowman leading the line with gusto.

Indeed, it was Bowman who fired the visitors ahead on 24 minutes, his firm drive proving too strong for Nick Townsend in the home goal. Townsend managed to interrupt the shot only momentarily on its way to the net.

Welsh international Josh Sheehan tried hard to keep the home side moving with neat short passes. Surprisingly, home manager Mike Flynn elected to withdraw both Dolan and Longe-King in search of the points – despite there being an hour left to play.

County pressed forward but City held firm. Mickey Demetriou went close with a diving header that flashed wide.

The first half ended with yet another substitution as Exeter introduced Josh Key before the robust Bowman became the fifth man to leave the field when he saw red for a challenge that sent Demetriou to the ground.

An eventful first half, you might say.

Exeter took up a 4-4-0 formation in the second half…and waited for the onslaught. Ryan Taylor hooked narrowly over for the home side.

Sheehan had the freedom of the park now, spraying balls around with unobstructed ease as the visitors surrendered 2/3 of the pitch to their hosts.

Inside their own box though, the term “last ditch’ found new meaning, as a host of eye watering blocks and challenges kept County out. Jokull Andresson was up to the task in the away goal but just how long could this last?

Lewis Collins and Padraig Amond came on for County, as the home side racked up the corners beyond the counting abilities of my freezing fingers. The Exeter defence simply booted everything clear as they switched to a 5-3-0 line up.

With 20 minutes to play, the 9 men of Exeter somehow still held the lead. Andresson dived at the feet of Amond as the home side began to run out of ideas. Exeter even found time for the occasional foray up field. I counted one attack of theirs where it was one against five.

The visitors continued to introduce fresh legs from the bench as Andresson treated us to a breathtaking double as we neared the closing stages.

Moments later though, Dom Telford finally headed County level from close range. Would Exeter take a point from here I thought?

Remarkably that was how it ended.

A bizarre, beautiful game. A cold night in February had passed in the blink of an eye as goals, fouls, red cards and drama had illuminated the dark evening.

Isn’t football great?

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