Exeter City’s away-day woes continue amid transfer talk

Exeter City’s struggles on the road continued on Saturday as York City condemned the Grecians to another away defeat in League Two.

City have now gone without an away victory since January, with their latest setback coming at a wet LNER Community Stadium as newly promoted York maintained their unbeaten start to the league campaign with a 2-1 victory.

The afternoon was also notable before kick-off, with key Exeter players Jayden Wareham and Luca Woodhouse both absent from the matchday squad amid heavy transfer speculation.

Neither player featured as manager Gary Caldwell’s side attempted to halt their disappointing away record, with their omissions inevitably adding to the growing uncertainty surrounding their futures.

There was little respite for Exeter once the match got under way, with York taking the lead after just seven minutes.

Harry Boyes delivered a low cross into the danger area and Alex Newby swept the ball beyond Jack Bycroft to give the Minstermen an early advantage.

Newby has made an impressive start to the campaign and almost doubled his tally before the interval, meeting a cross from Joe Grey with a first-time effort that forced an outstanding save from Bycroft.

The Exeter goalkeeper was becoming an increasingly important figure as York threatened to take control of the contest.

The Grecians struggled to turn possession into clear-cut opportunities of their own, while York looked dangerous whenever they were able to exploit space in the Exeter defence.

City’s task became even more difficult with 14 minutes remaining when the hosts finally found the second goal.

Newby was denied once again, this time seeing a one-on-one effort brilliantly kept out by Bycroft’s toes and diverted wide for a corner.

From the resulting set-piece, however, York made Exeter pay.

Debutant Jovan Malcolm, who joined the Minstermen on loan from Stevenage earlier in the week, rose to head home and mark his first appearance for the club with a goal.

The result continued York’s impressive beginning to life back in the Football League, while Exeter were left facing familiar questions about their form away from home.

There was late encouragement for the visitors when Jack Fitzwater pulled a goal back, giving the Grecians a glimmer of hope in the closing stages.

But Exeter could not find an equaliser, and York held on to secure all three points.