by Dylan James & Tom Young
USW dug deep to pull off an ugly win over Exeter and remain two points clear at the top of the table.
The BUCS Western A Division 1 – 0 victory was sealed by a second half Lewis Baldwin header.
Exeter dominated much of the first 20 minutes; however, the USW defence coped well with the pressure.
USW had their first real chance to convert in the 21st minute as number 10, Danny Williams, found space on the edge of the area, but his effort flew well over the bar.
USW continued to test the Exeter defence, just a minute later Williams found Mikey George inside the area, but the number 7 couldn’t get his shot away following some good defending.
The 29th minute saw Louis Gerrard put through brilliantly, and cut inside well only to be tackled in magnificent fashion by Matt James.
The game boiled over in the 30th minute, as a second hard challenge from Kane Owen on Will Langley resulted in a yellow card and a very unhappy Exeter coach.
Williams was heavily involved in the last few minutes of the game, putting Gerrard through one-on-one with a perfect lofted through ball from his own half, but Gerrard couldn’t convert.
Louis Gerrard chance for USW. Image Joe Mansfield
Williams was through himself in the 42nd minute, but blasted the ball directly at the keeper.
The second half began as the first had ended, with USW dominating possession. However, Exeter’s defence remained resolute, with Williams and Owen both going close in the opening exchanges.
The visitors had a great chance to open the scoring themselves in the 55th minute, with Arthur Ambler found unmarked at the back post by Will Langley, but he couldn’t direct his header on target.
USW continued to control the game, with their attacked camped in Exeter’s half and they finally found the breakthrough they deserved in the 67th minute.
An in-swinging corner from Owen was only partially cleared by Cornelius, with Gerrard’s follow up header crashing off the bar. However, Baldwin was on hand to head the rebound home and give the home side the lead.
As Exeter threw men forward in search of an equaliser, USW looked for a second on the counter-attack and had two chances fall to second half substitute Abdi Noor. Both efforts were foiled by Cornelius.
USW claimed a vital 1-0 win, leaving them needing just a point away at Bath next week to secure their first league title since 2015.
