Exeter City FC

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor says that the second-half display was immensely pleasing as his side routed Oldham Athletic 5-1.

David Wheater had equalised for the visitors after Jayden Richardson’s opener, but the Oldham captain was then sent off for clearing a Randell Williams shot off the line. Matt Jay converted the resulting penalty, before a dominant second-half display with further goals from Archie Collins, Ryan Bowman and Brennan Dickenson.

“First off, full credit to Clive (Pring) and his staff for getting the game on – the three points tonight starts with them.”

“Oldham caused us problems in the first-half, but we looked like we still had a real threat about us and could have made more of our opportunities in their half. We didn’t quite use the ball well enough in the first-half. A pleasing, professional second-half display.”

Jayden Richardson opened the scoring with his first ever senior goal, and what a finish it was – a delightful dink over the onrushing Zeus de le Paz. Wheater’s equaliser – headed in following a short corner routine – threw a spanner in the works, and Oldham forced Lewis Ward into a couple of sharp saves before Matt Jay’s penalty gave City the lead against the visitors, who were reduced to ten men.

“We’ve not scored enough goals this season so it’s a good one in terms of the goals tally. It’s a really important night – the lads should have enjoyed that second half, and the fans too – on a cold Tuesday night, hopefully we warmed them up a little bit.”

Speaking about his rotation, Matt said: “It’s always pleasing to share the goalscoring load, and I was also able to rest some legs. With Tom (Parkes), a strange situation with a player running past you to go to the toilet! I don’t think many people knew when he started the game! You’re learning all the time when you’re a manager, that’s a first for me.”

“People are putting themselves forward, putting themselves in place to affect the team. It’s what I want from them. We looked like we’ve got a threat in us – we created the most chances on Saturday (against Stevenage) in a game than we had since Plymouth in October, and it’s good to see that continue tonight.”

Finally, Matt spoke about the importance of the home support on a chilly night at the Park. “It was important with the rain, the sleet, that people came out to support us tonight. Our home form has been fantastic and that’s why we want people to come and watch us – it won’t always be as straightforward as the second-half, sometimes it’ll be like the first-half, but be patient and stick with us!”