Exeter City progress in #UltimateQuaranTeam tournament following replay.
Peterborough United bowed out of the inaugural QuaranTeam FIFA tournament organised by Leyton Orient after Exeter City secured a passage into round two after a replay following a 2-2 draw in the first fixture.
Rhys Bennett, a keen FIFA player, was representing the Posh, but he was always up against it with the Grecians selecting ‘Scultpaa’, a professional gamer, to wear the colours of the League Two club. However, Bennett upset the odds early in, racing into a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Mo Eisa and Sammie Szmodics.
With betting companies scrambling after making Posh rank outsiders, they were able to breathe again during the second half when the Grecians fought back with former Posh striker Nicky Ajose among the scorers.
The tie ended 2-2 and as per the rules of the competition, a replay was ordered and this time, Exeter were always in control, securing the victory thanks to a comfortable 2-0 win, a victory that would have been far greater but for the keeping of Aaron Chapman.
Bennett said afterwards: “I gave it my all! I wanted to park the bus at 2-0 up and try and keep the ball, but I was representing Posh and this club has always been about attacking, so I went in search of more goals and got picked off. He was too strong in the second half, but I am happy with my performance as when I learned I was up against a FIFA pro, I could have easily been embarrassed.”
The club are looking to set up more games against clubs who are represented by a member of their first team squad during this unprecedented period with over 7,000 fans watching last night’s contest on streaming platform Twitch.
As well as being for a bit of fun, the #UltimateQuaranTeam tournament has been set up to raise money for EFL clubs, MIND and the COVID-19 Solidariy Response Fundraiser.
Please visit the Just Giving page to donate.
Leyton Orient are thankful to everyone who has already been so kind during this difficult period. Your money will help to raise vital funding for EFL clubs who are going to have massive financial struggles (as of course will many industries across the world) during this time of fixture postponement. With no match day income for the foreseeable future football clubs are struggling and things will only get worse.
If this cause can play a small way for clubs going during an unprecedented time, then it would be an amazing force for good. 75% of money raised will be given to the EFL within 28 days.
Secondly, the remaining 25% will be split between for two very worthy causes. One is the EFL’s chosen charity ‘MIND’ (219830), and secondly in funding the all-important COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fundraiser by WHO.