Share this @internewscast.com

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

<!–

There would be no perfect finish to a week of celebrations for Exeter City and, after all they’ve endured since fans ousted rogue owners and started running the show for themselves, they probably did not expect one.

They have learned to consider the bigger picture in this corner of Devon so Ruel Sotiriou’s deserved winner for Leyton Orient in stoppage time will not knock them far from their stride, although it did knock them from the top of League One.

Exeter came into the game sitting higher in the English football pyramid than ever before, and the new heights seemed fitting in a week when they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the club’s supporters’ trust seizing control as they slid out of the EFL in 2003.

‘Disappointing result, disappointing performance,’ said Caldwell. ‘Overall we got what we deserved and Orient deserved to win. I can’t get too cross with them, they’ve given so much but we dropped below our standards we’ve set.’

Ruel Sotiriou scored the decisive goal to hand Leyton Orient victory away at Exeter City

Ruel Sotiriou scored the decisive goal to hand Leyton Orient victory away at Exeter City

Ruel Sotiriou scored the decisive goal to hand Leyton Orient victory away at Exeter City

Sotiriou's goal sparked wild celebrations in the away end as he sealed a vital three points

Sotiriou's goal sparked wild celebrations in the away end as he sealed a vital three points

Sotiriou’s goal sparked wild celebrations in the away end as he sealed a vital three points

Perhaps it was the rare altitude or the emotion or the sweltering heat on a day when water breaks were required but it was probably more to do with the absence of half of a dozen players, two on international duty and others injured.

Orient, with boss Richie Wellens in the stands serving a ban, dominated and could easily have been out of sight by half-time, threatening from set-pieces. Omar Beckles and Brandon Cooper saw headers strike the bar from corners.

Sotirou turned a good chance wide from close range and Exeter’s stand-in goalkeeper Gary Woods made a couple of saves on his first appearance of the season. Woods, a former Os ‘keeper, was deputising for Viljami Sinisalo, on loan from Aston Villa and one of Exeter’s two Finland players called up for international duty. The other was winger Ilmari Niskanen.

With three away on international duty, EFL clubs can postpone a fixture but not with two, so 18-year-old Sonny Cox led the line for the home team and there was a league debut for 16-year-old Jake Richards. ‘It made it really difficult in terms of the players we could bring on,’ said Caldwell. ‘I don’t think we’ll finish another game this season with the team we had on at the end but that can’t be an excuse. We have to cope better as a squad.’

It was a week of celebrations for Exeter's fans as they toasted 20 years of fan ownership

It was a week of celebrations for Exeter's fans as they toasted 20 years of fan ownership

It was a week of celebrations for Exeter’s fans as they toasted 20 years of fan ownership

It was all looking good when Demi Mitchell celebrated opening the scoring at St James Park

It was all looking good when Demi Mitchell celebrated opening the scoring at St James Park

It was all looking good when Demi Mitchell celebrated opening the scoring at St James Park

Orient boss Richie Wellens was forced to watch this League One clash from the stands

Orient boss Richie Wellens was forced to watch this League One clash from the stands

Orient boss Richie Wellens was forced to watch this League One clash from the stands

Richards showed his vision and range with a pass from midfield to release Demetri Mitchell to score the opener. Mitchell latched onto it and scored with a searing strike on the bounce from an angle. It screamed and dipped over goalkeeper Sol Brynn and in off the bar. ‘I thought the goal might spark us into life,’ said Caldwell but it didn’t and Orient, themselves no strangers to rotten owners posing existential threat, were soon level.

Joe Pigott took a fine cross by Jordan Graham down on his chest and slammed in a low finish on the half turn. It was Pigott’s first since signing from Ipswich in the summer.

Woods made a flying save to foil Cooper as the visitors pushed for the winner, and Pigott saw a header bounce into the turf and just over. Mitchell missed a tricky chance at the other end, heading into the side netting, before Sotiriou settled it, fizzing in Orient’s second from 25 yards in the second minute of added time.

‘We had a game plan and first half we were totally dominant,’ said Wellens. ‘We did all the basics right and the good thing is we can get so much better.

‘It was a big occasion, the 20th anniversary of a really, really good football club. They’re fan owned, they produce players and they’ve built a new training ground. It’s a really good model for a lot of football clubs so they should be proud of their day but we wanted to come here and spoil it.’

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Myles Lewis-Skelly Shines at Paris Fashion Week, Concludes a Remarkable Week with Arsenal

It’s been a whirlwind week for Myles Lewis-Skelly – and the teenage…

Newcastle’s Latest Third Kit Honors a Classic Club Appearance

Newcastle United and adidas have revealed the club’s 2025/26 season third kit…

Jordan Henderson’s Ajax Contract Ends Early at His Request: Club Issues Statement

Jordan Henderson is set to depart from Ajax right away, clearing a…

Man United’s Pre-Season: Challenges of Selling Unwanted Players and the Influence of the ‘Gang of Five’ at Carrington, by Chris Wheeler

Pre-season is typically an opportunity for fresh starts and clean slates, but…

AFL’s Surprising Strategy to Fast-Track Gout Gout into Action

The AFL is reportedly plotting a surprising move to host Aussie sprint sensation…

Liga MX Unveils Striking 2025 All-Star Uniform Showcasing Mascots and Team Symbols

Last week, Major League Soccer introduced the jersey for the 2025 MLS…

Legendary Sports Stars: Pele, Muhammad Ali, and Tiger Woods Featured in Priceless Memorabilia Collection

IT started with two football shirts. They were placed in the cosy…

Welsh Rugby on the Brink: Two Regions at Risk, Pending Strike Talks, and Top Players Considering Departure Due to Financial Turmoil

Welsh rugby is at risk of seeing more of its key players…

USMNT’s 2026 World Cup Roster: Current Team Status and Future Contenders Before the Gold Cup Final

There won’t be many opportunities in the near future for the United…

From Joyful Beginnings to a Heartfelt Goodbye: Ave Maria Echoes from Their Wedding to Diogo Jota’s Funeral Just 13 Days Later

At the end of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva’s funeral…