Exeter City and Peterborough United played out a breathless encounter at the Weston Homes Stadium as Jayden Wareham scored a hat-trick in a 3-3 draw.
City found themselves a goal down at the break after Sykut put the hosts ahead. A ten minute second half onslaught from Jayden Wareham saw him net the fastest ever Grecian hat-trick, before Harry Leonard's doubled levelled the score, meaning City picked up a fourth straight draw.
The Grecians headed to the Weston Homes Stadium unbeaten in three, but looking to return to winning ways after a trio of draws.
Interim manager Dan Green made three changes from the side that drew 1-1 with Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday night. Timur Tutierov, Sonny Cox and Liam Oakes coming into the side in the place of Ryan Rydel, Jake Doyle-Hayes and Josh Magennis. Jack McMillan returned to the bench after injury, and fresh from his recall from Weston-super-Mare, Charlie Cummins was named a substitute.
First Half
The hosts got the action underway, and for what felt the first time in ages the match was played without the backdrop of pouring rain.
The Posh started fast, moving the ball down their left channel with the ball falling to Sykut who dragged his shot well wide of Whitworth’s goal. Straight down the other end City really should have been ahead. Luca Woodhouse bending a through ball for Timur Tutierov who moved into the box before squaring for Sonny Cox who blazed over the bar with a first time shot with just two minutes on the clock.
Liam Oakes snapped in to win possession, finding Jack Aitchison who moved the ball to Jayden Wareham and City’s No.9 was fouled 25-yards from goal. Ethan Brierley struck it low and it took a deflection to take the ball away from goal.
After 15 minutes former Grecian Archie Collins took aim from 35-yards – his low drive took a deflection but was easy for Whitworth to collect.
The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute against the run of play. A half clearance from Brierley found Sykut who twisted and turned against a backdrop of attempted challenges before drilled a low shot into the corner past Whitworth’s dive.
A rash challenge from City’s skipper Pierce Sweeney saw him pick up a yellow card and give away a dangerous free kick on the edge of City’s area. Morgan let fly and the ball fizzed up from the turf Infront of Whitworth who did well to grab the ball at the second attempt.
With 36 minutes on the clock City again found space out wide as Niskanen headed forward before finding Cox on the edge of the area. City’s No.19 hit the ball first time but didn’t get his connection right and the ball went away to safety.
As the board went up with three added minutes, City forced a corner. Brierley’s clever delivery found Aitchison on just inside the box, his great touch allowed him to shift the ball to the onrushing Tutierov who shot just over the bar to his frustration.
City went into the break a goal behind but very much still in the game and would be looking to build on some strong moments in the second half.
Second Half
Dan Green made a double switch at the break as Jack McMillan replaced Ed Turns and Akeel Higgins came on for Sonny Cox.
City made a fantastic start to the second half, and it was rewarded with an equaliser after just a minute of the second half. Sub Higgins took the ball on the half turn before sliding out wide to Niskanen – he took a touch and delivered the most perfect ball onto the head of Wareham who headed home emphatically to level the score at 1-1!
Less than ten minutes into the second half and City turned the score on its head! Oakes found Brierley who quickly finds Niskanen who tapped inside to Aitchison – Jack slid in Wareham and he toe poked home to give City the lead!
Moments later it’s three for the Grecians and an unbelievable start to the second half. The ball again moved quickly through the thirds and Niskanen is found out wide – he delivers the perfect ball for Wareham to divert home for his hat-trick!
Five minutes later and the end-to-end game had its fifth goal as Leonard headed home from a well delivered corner to make it 3-2 on the hour mark.
Archie Collins looked to catch Whitworth out from a corner as he swung in a near post-delivery, but it was well watched and clawed away from Whitworth. Moments later Whitworth was called into action as Posh captain Johnston let fly from just outside the box – his powerful effort was pushed over the bar in stunning style.
Another sweeping City move almost saw Wareham get his fourth! Jack Aitchsion dribbled forward before poking through to Niskanen – he squared for City’s No.9 who connected but sent the ball over the bar under a challenge.
In a topsy turvy second half the hosts were back level after 78 minutes as Leonard grabbed his second goal of the afternoon, heading home from close range.
Ethan Brierley’s fantastic delivery from a 25-yard free-kick fell to the foot of Woodhouse who connected under a challenge, but his shot was straight at Bass in the Posh goal.
A frantic second 45 showed no signs of slowing down as City broke through Higgins, he drove at the hosts defence before flashing a shot just wide of Bass’s goal.
The final chance of the game fell to Collins who picked up a ball on the edge of the box before making space for himself, his shot was just over the bar and the whistle went to end a frantic end-to-end encounter and see the Grecians pick up a fourth straight draw in League One.
Up Next
The Grecians are back in action at St James Park next Saturday, hosting Bolton Wanderers in a 3pm kick-off in League One. Click here for tickets.
Match Details
Peterborough United XI
Bass (GK), Johnston (C), Collins, Frith (Hayes 59’), Lisbie, Morgan, Okagbue, Leonard, Kioso, Dornelly, Sykut (Khela 56’)
Subs not used
Smith, Mendonca, Nevett, O’Brien-Brady, Aderoju.
Goals
Sykut 19’, Leonard 60’, Leonard 78’
Yellow Cards
Leonard 90+6’
Exeter City XI
Whitworth (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Turns (McMillan 46’), Woodhouse, Oakes (Cummins 87’), Brierley, Aitchison, Tutierov (Rydel 69’), Cox (Higgins 46’), Wareham (Magennis 76’)
Subs not used
Bycroft (GK), Dean.
Yellow Cards
Cox 6’, Sweeney 23’, Wareham 64’, Aitchison 90+4’
Goals
Wareham 46’, 52’, 54’
Attendance
: 7,341 (334 Grecians)