A keeper’s howler, controversy, and a goal directly from corner in Exeter’s 4-4 draw with Crawley on Sunday afternoon.
Exeter went from a 4-1 down to snatch a point. Crawley were ahead in the 15th minute when Panutche Camara found the net from 12 yards.
However, Exeter were level in the 35th minute with their first attempt on goal, Millenic Alli cutting in from the left and sent a low shot inside the near post from 20 yards out.
Crawley were back in front just two minutes later thanks to Will Swan who evaded the goalkeeper, and although his shot deflected off an Exeter defender.
Crawley made it 3-1 in the 42nd minute due to a blunder from Joe Whitworth, his throw going directly to Tola Showunmi, who capitalised on the open goal from eight yards.
In first-half stoppage time, Crawley went 4-1 up, Armando Quitirna made his way through the Exeter defence and fired a shot from a tight angle into the far corner of the net.
After the break, Exeter showed significant improvement, reducing the deficit in the 60th minute when Vincent Harper curled a stunning shot into the far corner.
In the 82nd minute, Ryan Woods scored directly from a corner, bringing the score to 4-3, and Exeter completed their comeback with a stunner from Demitri Mitchell in stoppage time.
Crawley Town boss Rob Elliot said to the BBC’s Gary Smith: “For 60 minutes we were excellent and we controlled the game throughout and then we were able to score some fantastic goals, put them under huge pressure and then second half they bring on the players they obviously rested for this period and then we weren’t able to deal with that pressure coming into the box.”
The goal that made it 4-3 was a controversial one as keeper Jojo Wollacott appeared to fouled. “We were very harshly dealt with in the officials today,” said Elliot. “It’s a clear foul on Jojo at 4-3 which changed the momentum because at 4-2 it’s always them taking risks and we’re still getting control.
“But then once the third one goes in it’s going to be all hands to the deck in terms of the balls coming in the box.
“It’s just disappointing with the manner of goals in terms of the fact that we weren’t able to see it through. But you’ve got to take the positives. We’ve stopped the rot in terms of the last three with two good performances and then a mixed performance today and obviously a poor performance at Leyton Orient.
“But the one thing I say is these lads have given everything.”
Exeter’s Gary Caldwell: “We gave ourselves a mountain to climb, but all credit to the team they climbed that mountain and we could have even won the game. The chances we created, the energy we played with, and the way the Big Bank sucked that ball in.
“It was a fantastic second half and we have to take that momentum forward with us into Wycombe.
“I take full responsibility for what happened in the first half, and maybe that was too many changes and breaking up those connections. But we conceded bad goals we wouldn’t usually concede. We had to do something drastic and half-time, we changed the shape to be more open, but more aggressive and that was a risk.
“Today was down the players’ bravery.”
💬 “All credit to the team in the second-half and the mountain they climbed.”
Gary Caldwell reacts to City’s remarkable 4-4 draw against @crawleytown at SJP ⬇️#ECFC #SemperFidelis pic.twitter.com/lqw6tb6pKq
— Exeter City FC (@OfficialECFC) December 29, 2024
Here’s how fans reacted following the keeper’s howler, controversy, and a goal directly from corner in Exeter’s 4-4 draw with Crawley…
@RobCourt7: Great character and determination to get something from the game. Take the positives. 7 points from the Xmas period and we’re into a very busy January!
@jaakee_06: no idea how the fuck we’ve done that. Demi needs to start next week, absolute game changer.
@Richardthe7th: What a game, what a comeback, what a team…..I need a lie down in a darkened room after that 🤔🤣🤣 #ECFC
@LatoyahEgerton:
This is a prime example of why you should:
-Never leave early, no matter how tough it is to watch.
-Always get behind the team, rather than turn against them 👊🏻
@ColinHarvey01: Insane. Maddening. Enjoyable. UTC
@_niallo_: There’s the entertainment everyone wanted #ecfc
@Jimbogg: Genuinely the most surprising thing about that nutty 4-4 game is that I heard zero Argyle chants #ecfc
@ECous24: Will give credit to Caldwell where it’s due, the subs he made at half time got us this draw and could’ve gone one better. One of the best 45 minutes of football I’ve seen in a while #ecfc
@HEDanielClark: The most ridiculous thing about that #ecfc game was that despite how bad the first half was, we all thought the comeback was on at half-time and actually despite being 4-1 down, we should have comfortably won it
@mattydiggins11: Since I berated ECFC for the way they play, it’s been a lucky win at Burton, an end to end 3-1 win against Rovers and a 4-4 humdinger against Crawley. This is all I wanted, attacking footy and giving games a go not sitting and trying to win 1-0….long may it continue! #ECFC
@Verschorenecfc: Might be the craziest game I’ve ever seen #ECFC
@JamesFDale: Well that was dull! Wow!!! The second half showed we have some really good footballers at the club. Keeping everyone fit is rather tricky, but if we can get a clean bill of health, we’re a proper side at this level. Harper, Watts, Jones, Mitchell superb off the bench #ecfc
@harptaro: What a comeback that was 😅
@Bryz777: A game to prove why cliches are cliches. Absolute collective doomer in the first half. Then the second half we come storming back. Crawley have themselves to blame, stopped pressing which they did so well in the first half. #ECFC
@eclj284: Always knew we would come back from being 4-1 down. Love this club, love the squad, love the gaffer. The Caldwell haters are all raging at this 🤣🤣 You reds!!!! #ecfc
@ecfc_hub: What a second half! Fucking unbelievable #ecfc
