Goodman Strike
by Paul Baker

5th February 2003

Third Division Exeter City were forced to come from behind to beat a spirited Weymouth side last night.

Former Wolves and West Bromwich Albion striker Don Goodman netted on 53 minutes to settle what proved an entertaining friendly at the Wessex Stadium.

The Terras got off to a perfect start when Lee Phillips ended a determined eighth minute run with a great pull back to Simon Browne on the edge of the penalty area. The defender then held off two challenges before slotting beyond City keeper Stuart Frasier and into the back of the net.

Weymouth's lead was short-lived however, with James Coppinger hooking the visitors level on 16 minutes following good work down the right flank by Barry McConnell.

Three minutes later, Exeter got their noses in front with one of the best goals scored at the Radipole Lane venue this season.

The impressive Coppinger played a superb one-two with Eire Under-21 international Reinier Moor before foxing ex-Grecians' stopper Jason Matthews with a stunning deft chip from ten yards.

City began to demonstrate a bit of class after that, but the Terras stuck to their task well with Alex Browne barely putting a foot wrong at the heart of their defence.

And they shocked Neil McNab's professionals again in the 25th minute when Simon Browne crashed home his second goal of the game following a decent build-up involving Phillips, Marc Whiteman and Mark Robinson.

Terras boss Geoff Butler rang the changes at half-time as Steve Tully, Martyn Sullivan and Whiteman gave way to Danny Bailey, Leon Green and French trialist Patrick Polion. But the new arrivals initially had little effect as the Grecians began to stamp their authority on proceedings.

First McDonnell went close with a strike that rattled the crossbar and then Moor forced Matthews to save well at his near post.

But the Terras gloveman could do nothing about Goodman's point blank header from Chris Todd's right wing delivery, which proved decisive eight minutes into the second period.

Weymouth probably had the better of things for the last 20 minutes and both Phillips and Green were guilty of failing to hit the target from good positions inside the City's penalty area.

The late introduction of schoolboy defender Nathan Walker saw him marking veteran Goodman who began his playing career before the Terras youngster was born. But despite the massive gulf in age and experience, the 15-year-old did himself proud with a serious of well-timed tackles and confident clearances.

The hosts almost snatched a share of the spoils in the very last minute but an out-of-luck Phillips could only watch helplessly as his looping header bounced off the top of the cross bar.