Exeter City FC

Lee Holmes praised the performances of Matt Jay, Ryan Bowman and Dean Moxey as Exeter City bounced back to winning ways against Colchester United.

Jay opened the scoring with a stunning half volley, while Dean Moxey and Ryan Bowman both performed well having returned from injury.  

“I think, first of all, Ryan (Bowman) was a colossal up front,” said Lee, who added the second goal of the match before Nicky Law’s strike wrapped up the 3-0 win. 

“He made it hard for the defenders to handle him and that, probably, made it a little bit easier for me and Matty to get in and around it. The one thing that was missing was a goal for him but I am sure that will come. With Deano, he brings that experience back into the team and long may it continue.” 

Jay’s opener was his third goal in four games, but his first at St James Park. The Exeter City Academy graduate has really hit form of late and Lee says the whole team are pleased he is getting the rewards for his hard work. 

“I think you could see from the celebrations that we were all buzzing when he slots one away,” said Lee. “I think it is doing his confidence the world of good and the more he plays the better I think he will get.” 

Jay also had the assist for Lee’s goal which came at a crucial time in the game, midway through the second half. The winger had missed a chance five minutes earlier and said that had helped him when he got in on goal the second time.  

“I made a good connection with it (the first chance), but looking back, I probably had a bit more time to have a touch,” said Lee. “But with the wind and the bobbles you sought of want to get a good a connection as you possibly can, especially on my so-called weaker foot. Afterwards when I went through that was in my mind that I have got a little bit more time to make my decision and thankfully I might the right one.  

“As you are going through you know the angle is going against you so it is a case of can I find somebody in the box and the next thing is then to try and put it in the goal and thankfully I did.”

City now sit just inside the play-off places, with a game in hand, and eight points off the automatic promotion places. Lee says it is important for them to focus on consistently picking up points between now and the end of the campaign.

“I think every game is important and we know that there is going to be a lot of changes from here on in,” he said. 

Consistency is going to play a big part and as long as we can be the team who is being consistent, then we are going to give ourselves the best opportunity to catch that top three.”