City made it a first win away from home since October, beating AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium
City made the journey from one capital city to another, fresh off a defeat to league-leaders Cardiff City on Boxing Day to face AFC Wimbledon in South-West London. The London side came into the game also looking for a reactionary win, Johnnie Jackson’s side winless in the league since mid-October.
Gary Caldwell named just one change from his Boxing Day squad with Reece Cole given the nod in place of Jack Aitchison, the midfielder’s first start since sustaining an injury after the away defeat to Leyton Orient in November.
First Half
AFC Wimbledon saw their first opportunity of the game after just four minutes of play; a ball from Steve Seddon into the area forcing Jack Fitzwater into evasive action to clear the ball from danger. Alistair Smith would get his bite at the cherry minutes later, his shot at goal forcing another block and gifting Wimbledon a corner.
Smith soon found himself in a dangerous position once more, Jake Doyle-Hayes fouling him on the edge of the area to warrant a Dons free-kick, later struck at the wall and cleared.
The Grecians would see their best effort of the game yet when, in the 23rd minute, Jack McMillan found Doyle-Hayes on the edge of the hosts’ box, the Irishman shooting and forcing Bishop into a save at full-stretch to prevent the ball from finding the top-right.
First-half substitute Marcus Browne was gifted himself a shooting opportunity after winning the ball from Luca Woodhouse on the edge of the City penalty area, his effort on goal saved by Joe Whitworth much to the relief of the travelling supporters behind his goal.
The first goal of the encounter would arise in the 37th minute, Ilmari Niskanen providing Jayden Wareham with a sumptuous ball which he deftly flicked home before reeling off his iconic backflip in front of the bewildered Wombles, goal number 10 of the season so far for the young striker.
Three additional minutes at the end of the first half would see the hosts awarded a corner-kick, the home fans desperately rising to their feet in search of an equaliser. Alas the corner would pose no prominent threat, a late shout for a penalty in the closing seconds would be waved away by the referee before he blew up for half-time.
Second Half
Five minutes into the first half, and after a passing move down the left wing from McMillan and Akeel Higgins, the West Bromwich Albion loanee was brought to ground, awarding a free kick to the Grecians. The subsequent set-piece would be taken by Cole, his low effort rifled underneath the Dons wall and saved by Bishop.
Fear was struck into the hearts of the 920 travelling Grecians when, in the 66th minute the hosts had the ball in the back of the net. Much to the disappointment of the home crowd however, celebrations were soon stopped when the referee and his assistants chalked the goal off.
As the hour marked rolled by, a flurry of changes for both sides would ensue. After impressing on his first start since November, Cole was replaced by Jack Aitchison as well as Carlos Mendes-Gomes coming on for Higgins; Caldwell’s men looking to add to the scoreline before the close of play.
The 84th minute saw City awarded a free-kick on the touchline after Aitchison was brought to ground. Ethan Brierley's set-piece ball into the area was met by the head of Pierce Sweeney, but to no avail with Bishop coming out to claim the Irishman's effort. Caldwell would further bolster his XI, with Sil Swinkels and Sonny Cox both introduced in the 87th minute to see out the closing phases.
With the addition of nine minutes after the 90 had been played, the Grecian had to endure some real backs-to-the-wall defending as the hosts searched desperately for a route back into the game. Stoppage time pressure absorbed, the referee's whistle finally came in the 100th minute, ending an enthralling encounter in the capital.
Match Details
AFC Wimbledon XI
Bishop (GK), Asiimwe (Hackford 46’), Seddon, Reeves, Johnson, Maycock (Hippolyte 64’), Smith, Stevens (Bugiel 64’), Sasu (Browne 29’), Lewis, Ogundere
AFC Wimbledon Unused Subs
McDonnell (GK), Orsi, Bauer
Exeter City XI
Whitworth (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney, Fitzwater, Woodhouse, McMillan, Doyle-Hayes (Francis 75’), Brierley (Swinkels 87'), Cole (Aitchison 64’), Higgins (Mendes-Gomes 64’), Wareham (Cox 87')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Bycroft (GK), Swinkels, Oakes, Francis, Cox
Goalscorers
Wareham (36’)
Yellow Cards
McMillan (62’), Doyle-Hayes (67’)
Attendance
8,621 (including 920 travelling supporters)