Hartridge says abuse from fans 'went too far'

Plymouth Argyle defender Alex Hartridge has denounced the excessive abuse from a faction of Exeter City supporters during their first-round Carabao Cup tie. The 27-year-old, who made his debut for Argyle and scored the opening goal in stoppage time, scored the winning goal in a 2-0 victory over his former club at Home Park. During the first half, a lighter reportedly hit Hartridge, and a song was sung that disparaged his family.

Hartridge told BBC Sport, "I think it’s pretty clear that that went too far." He acknowledged that the rivalry between the fanbases adds to the excitement of the match, but it's unfortunate when such conduct occurs. Former Exeter manager Matt Taylor expressed disappointment in the fans' reaction to a player who played a pivotal role in the club's promotion to League One in 2022 and who has contributed over 150 games for them.

Exeter manager Tom Cleverley praised Hartridge's resilience in the face of the abuse, stating that the goal he scored demonstrated his composure. Hartridge emphasized that the abuse will not impact him emotionally and that the support from his loved ones has remained strong.