Dull goalless draw at SJP

Exeter drop to 12th

It wasn’t to be anyone’s night, as a League One clash between Exeter City and Shrewsbury Town ended goalless.

Exeter had the most possession, but couldn’t take their chances as they regularly found themselves in awkward positions. The chances that came were taken poorly or narrowly missed.

Both sides came close to scoring, with an early chance for Shrewsbury’s central attacking midfielder Tom Bayliss hitting the crossbar from around the six-yard box. Later Exeter City defender Alex Hartridge's header was brilliantly saved by Shrewsbury keeper Marko Marosi.

The game started in Exeter’s favour as Newcastle lonee and Exeter’s central attacking midfielder Joe White did well to beat his man and managed to get to the bye line and squared the ball into the box. Six minutes later by the Shrewsbury effort that should have given them the lead after Bayliss got the ball in the box and took his shot following a great first touch, but the crossbar was in the way. It was a let off for the Grecians.

With a dull first half, the fans were displeased. It didn't get much better in the second half, with the only chance when Hartridge's header was brilliantly saved from close range by  Shrewsbury’s Slovakian keeper. 

Exeter showed a better passing display with fewer passes lost when they were in possession, and they looked comfortable on the ball. But they appeared to lack sufficient confidence to shoot. When in a good shooting position, they would pass to either right wing back Josh Key or Mitchel.

However they did show solidity in the defence. Former Plymouth Argyle and now Grecian's captain Will Aimson was the core at the back, winning the majority of his headers, playing the ball out well from the back and creating attacks. 

With both sides leaving their shooting boots at home, the game was a dull 0-0 finish, leaving Exeter to drop to twelfth in League One.

Exeter now travel to Stoke to face newly promoted Port Vale on Saturday.