Exeter City booked a place in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup with an emphatic 4-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers at St James Park.
Jack Aitchison’s stunning header gave City a well-deserved lead at the break and his second goal and a fantastic finish from Akeel Higgins and Jayden Wareham's goal in added time secured City’s place in Monday night’s draw.
Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell made seven changes from Tuesday night’s Vertu Trophy defeat at Luton Town. Joe Whitworth returned between the sticks, Pierce Sweeney and Jack McMillan returned into defence, Ethan Brierley and Jake Doyle-Hayes slotted into midfield and Akeel Higgins returned in attack.
First half
After a slow opening the Grecians forged the first shot on target. Johnly Yfeko crossing from deep, the ball was headed away, and Jake Doyle-Hayes sent a volley towards goal, but it was comfortable for Norris in the Wycombe goal.
The Chairboys looked to have found space inside the box as the ball was threaded through to Fred Onyedinma on the counter, but Yfeko reacted quickly to block the shot on goal.
City should have opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Great hold up play from Jayden Wareham found Akeel Higgins out wide, he ran at Jack Grimmer before sending in a teasing cross which fell to Ilmari Niskanen who passed to Ethan Brierley but his first time shot bobbled wide of goal.
Minutes later Jack Aitchison showed great strength to hold off his marker before twisting and making room for a shot 25-yards from goal, his effort however was easy for Norris to gather.
City were creating the best chances of the first half, this time the ball fell to Niskanen on the edge of the box, he took a touch before shooting at goal and Norris made the save.
Fred Onyedinma looked the dangerman for the Chairboys in the first half, in the 38th minute he picked up the ball wide and drove at goal but his shot from just inside the area was well defended by Yfeko.
The Grecians took a deserved lead after 40 minutes and in some style! Ilmari Niskanen sent a superb cross into the box which Jack Aitchison met with a diving header from 10-yards out that sailed into the top corner!
Deep into added time Jack McMillan tested the palms of Norris from just outside the box and the resulting corner was well collected by Norris as City took a well-deserved lead into the break.
Second half
The Chairboys made a lively start to the second half as they looked to get back on level terms and quickly tested the Grecians backline. Jack McMillan showing great positioning to get himself in the way as Wycombe looked to carve an opening in the box. Minutes later Sweeney made a crucial block to stop the ball coming in as Sam Bell looked to pounce.
From the resulting corner Connor Taylor had a free header which grazed the outside of the post – a let off for the Grecians.
After soaking up pressure from the visitors City scored a second on the counter. Akeel Higgins picked up the ball in the centre and slid the perfect ball through for Aitchison who rounded Norris and fired home in front of the Big Bank!
Wycombe thought they had halved the deficit after 66 minutes after Woodrow headed towards goal, but a wonder save from Joe Whitworht on the line saved the Grecians
Jack Aitchison came a whisker away from a hat-trick as Niskanen crossed into the box and City’s No.10 controlled before sending a shot just wide of the far post!
An in-swinging corner caused problems for City as Grimmer connected just inside the six-yard box, but his header flew just wide of the post. Minutes later City caused their own problems as Fitzwater slipped and allowed Onyedinma to run in on goal but an incredible block from Turns stopped the danger in its tracks.
The Grecians made their dominance pay and scored a third after 81 minutes in fine style again. Akeel Higgins found the ball on the edge of the Chairboys box before cutting inside and firing a low shot into the bottom corner to send the Big Bank wild!
In the sixth minute of added time the Grecians made it a rout at the Park! Niskanen broke away and squared the perfect ball for Wareham to tap home to make it 4-0 and emphatically book a place in Monday night's draw!
Up Next:
The Grecians are back in action at St James Park on Tuesday night, hosting AFC Wimbledon in a 7:45pm kick-off in EFL Sky Bet League One. Click here for tickets.
Match Details:
Exeter City XI: Whitworth (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Fitzwater, Yfeko (Turns 60’), McMillan, Doyle-Hayes (Swinkels 81’), Brierley (McDonald 88’), Aitchison (Magennis 81’), Higgins (Oakes 88’), Wareham.
Subs not used: Bycroft (GK), Woodhouse, Francis, Cox
Yellow cards: Yfeko 20’, Sweeney 52’, Aitchison 62’
Goals: Aitchison 40’, 59’, Higgins 81
Wycombe Wanderers XI: Norris (GK), Grimmer (C), Harvie (Tilley 77’), Boyd-Munce (Westergaard 68’), Leahy, Bell (Lowry, 68), Woodrow, Mullins (Fink 45’), Taylor, Onyedinma (McNeilly, 83’), Hagelskjaer.
Subs not used: Van Sas (GK), Casey, Huggins, McNeilly, Savage,
Yellow cards: Grimmer 21’
Attendance: 5161 (390 away).