Late strikes by ex-player Hartridge and Pepple end Exeter’s Carabao Cup hopes
Exeter City were left ruing two late moments at Home Park as Plymouth Argyle struck twice in stoppage time to progress to the second round of the Carabao Cup with a 2-0 win.
After a tightly contested tie that had looked destined for extra time, Argyle’s former defender Alex Hartridge rose to meet a corner in the 91st minute and powered home a header to break the deadlock. Deep into stoppage time Bim Pepple added a second after a defensive mix-up, sealing the tie and sending the Pilgrims through to a home tie against Coventry City.
The result was no consolation for the travelling Grecians, who had earlier lost a man when new signing Ethan Sutherland was shown two yellow cards in the space of 22 minutes and sent off on his debut, leaving Exeter to see out the match with ten players.
- Match: Plymouth Argyle 2–0 Exeter City (Carabao Cup, first round)
- Goals: Alex Hartridge (91), Bim Pepple (stoppage)
- Notable: Ethan Sutherland sent off on his Exeter debut after two bookings
The atmosphere at Home Park carried an edge of occasion. Argyle shaded the first half for chances, with Ronan Curtis spurning a close-range chance and Pepple forcing a good save. One Argyle strike was also ruled out for handball. Exeter’s opportunities were few but included a long-range volley from Charlie Cummins that drifted wide.
Manager Matt Taylor made several alterations to the side that began the season, bringing in experience and fresh faces as he balanced the demands of pre-season and competitive fixtures. Despite being reduced to ten men, Exeter defended resolutely for large parts of the game and looked capable of forcing extra time until the late blows.
“It’s a tough way to go out — to have it decided in stoppage time after we had worked so hard to keep it level,” said supporters in the away end, reflecting the feeling among the Grecians.
Argyle’s late rally underlined the fine margins of cup football. Hartridge, who once represented Exeter, provided the moment of individual decisiveness when he rose highest from Harvey White’s corner to head the opener. Pepple’s late finish then ensured the result could not be overturned.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First yellow / second yellow & sending-off (Ethan Sutherland) | Within first 22 minutes (debut) |
| Alex Hartridge goal (header) | 91 |
| Bim Pepple goal | Deep stoppage time |
For Exeter, the exit is a setback in a season where cup runs can provide both financial relief and momentum. Taylor’s selection brought in Jack Fitzwater and Luca Woodhouse to the defence, while midfield changes included Jake Doyle-Hayes and debutant Taylor Perry. Gwion Edwards and Andrew Oluwabori started out wide, with Jack Bycroft, Ed James, Reece Cole and Jayden Wareham retaining places from the side who finished last season.
From a local perspective, the tie was notable not only for the result but for the small dramas that so often define derby encounters: a player dismissed on his first appearance; a former club figure delivering the winner; and the collective disappointment of travelling fans who had hoped their team could narrow a challenging fixture list with a cup victory.
Argyle will now prepare to host Coventry City in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Exeter, meanwhile, must regroup quickly as they return focus to their league campaign and the task of bouncing back after a bitterly disappointing night in Devon.
The city’s supporters will hope the squad can channel the frustration of this early exit into resolve on the pitch in the coming matches, while the managers weigh up lessons from a fixture decided by late, game-changing moments.
