Jack Fitzwater's first-minute opener and a second from Gwion Edwards gave Exeter City their first league win of the season, seeing off Accrington Stanley 2-0 at St James Park. The result lifted the Grecians to 13th in League Two on three points from two matches, while Accrington stay 19th with one.
Fitzwater turned in a cross to score inside the opening minute, before Edwards doubled the lead 11 minutes later. Manager Matt Taylor singled out his captain afterwards, saying Fitzwater had been "outstanding" all season despite going without a clean sheet to show for it: "I think we've seen the best of him so far this season," he said. "We're so privileged and so lucky to have him as our captain," he added. The 28-year-old defender joined Exeter from Livingston in 2023 and has made 67 appearances for the club, scoring three goals.
The win was overdue for Taylor's rebuilt squad, newly relegated to League Two and still finding its feet. Two late goals had settled Exeter's Carabao Cup exit against local rivals Plymouth Argyle, and they then fell to a 1-0 defeat away to promotion hopefuls Grimsby Town on the opening day of the league season.
Accrington had the better of possession, with 62.7% of the ball to Exeter's 37.3%, but managed only two shots on target to the home side's six. Five players were booked: Josh Woods and Tom Moore for Accrington, Jayden Wareham, Vincent Harper (for handball) and Fitzwater himself for Exeter.