City capped off home matches in 2025 with a dominant display against Barnsley at St James Park.
Goals from Ilmari Niskanen, Jayden Wareham, and Reece Cole proved to be this difference in a festive encounter at the park, capping off home matches in 2025 with a dominant display in front of a boisterous St James Park.
The Grecians came into their final home game of 2025 seeking three points after a disappointing loss to Bolton Wanderers a week prior, a first-half Jack Aitchison providing City with a lead that held until the hosts make a second-half comeback to claim all three points.
Gary Caldwell named two changes to his team; Jack Fitzwater returned to the starting XI after serving a one-match ban for an accumulation of yellow cards last weekend at the Toughsheet Community Stadium with Jayden Wareham also reintroduced in place of Josh Magennis who sustained an injury last time out.
First Half
Barnsley were provided an early shooting opportunity when, in the third minute of the game, Adam Phillips found himself on the edge of the City box, his effort struck well over the crossbar.
A response from Gary Caldwell’s team came in the eighth minute, Jack Aitchison with a sublime turn and pass to Sonny Cox, bombing forward and cutting back to Ethan Brierley whose low shot caught by Murphy Cooper.
Moments later a cross towards the back post curtesy of Pierce Sweeney was met by Cox, his attempt another test for Cooper who caught the shot and cleared away. A player that has impressed in numerous positions this season, Jack McMillan, showcased his defensive ability to halt Cleary’s shot on goal during a Barnsley attack on the break.
25 minutes in and City were once again on the attack, a header forward by Jack Fitzwater was met by Jayden Wareham who flicked it onto Jack Aitchison, his run halted by Roberts in the heart of the Barnsley back-line.
The first Grecian corners of the tie came after 32 minutes, Brierley’s outswing finding Pierce Sweeney whose header was tipped over the crossbar for another crack at the whip. An in-swinging effort this time from the Brentford loanee found Woodhouse at the back post, his effort too high.
With five minutes until the interval, a quick free kick on the halfway line found Niskanen on a run down the left wing, his cross into the box met by Wareham who misjudged his effort and sent the ball over the bar and into St James Road.
The Grecians would not have to wait long for the opener however, Aitchison laying off to Brierley on the right wing who crosses to Niskanen at the back post, his volley beating Cooper at his near post and finding the back of the net.
City would look to double their lead in the closing minutes of the first half, a repeated attack on the Barnsley goal leaving the visitors with plenty to think about during the break.
Second Half
Following a quieter start to the second half for both teams, it was Niskanen who looked close to his second in the 56thminute. Wareham worked hard to find space on the righthand side, before crossing into the area with the flying Fin (literally) just too far away from doubling City’s lead.
A first round of substitutions for the Grecians came as the game approached the hour mark, Reece Cole taking to the field in place of Cox. The hosts similarly chose this moment to make a change, Jalo replacing Farrugia.
City wouldn’t have to wait long to double the lead, however. As the game ticked past the hour mark, Jayden Wareham found himself in the right place to poke the ball into the back of the net in the wake of a goalmouth scramble, his ninth of the season in all competitions.
It looked like City had caught Barnsley sleeping once more when Aitchison worked well to get in behind the back line, before a challenge inside the area caused eruptions of penalty shouts on the pitch and around the stands, the referee disagreeing, however.
The third goal would eventually come, Niskanen with a perfectly timed run down the left wing, crossing to Wareham who laid off to substitute Cole, his powerful effort finding the bottom right corner of the goal and sending the Big Bank into pandemonium.
With seven minutes left on the clock, Caldwell looked to steady his side with the introductions of Kevin McDonald and Akeel Higgins. The pressure on the Barnsley goal would not relent for the remainder of the game, a crucial deflection preventing Luca Woodhouse' strike from the edge of the penalty area. Jack Fitzwater would meet a McDonald cross at the back post shortly after, his effort just wide of Cooper's far post and a brief respite for the bewildered Yorkshire team.
Whitworth and his back line would scramble in the closing phases of play, a barrage of late chances all cleared from danger much to the joy of the Grecian faithful. The referees whistle came moments later, calling an end to a thrilling encounter at the Park, and a perfect way to end 2025's home turf action.
Exeter City XI
Whitworth (GK), McMillan, Fitzwater, Brierley (Oakes 90+1'), Wareham (Mendes-Gomes 90+1'), Aitchison (Higgins 83'), Niskanen, Cox (Cole 59’), Woodhouse, Sweeney (C), Doyle-Hayes (McDonald 83')
Exeter City Unused Subs
Bycroft (GK), Swinkels
Goalscorers
Niskanen (41’), Wareham (61’), Cole (73’)
Yellow Cards
Pierce Sweeney (45’)
Barnsley XI
Cooper (GK), Roberts, Shepherd, Phillips (Gevigney 77’), Cleary, Kelly (Yoganathan 76’), Farrugia (Jalo 58’), Watson, Bland (Russell 62’), Keiler-Dunn, Connell (C)
Barnsley Unused Subs
Kieran Flavell (GK), Vickers, Farrell
Yellow Cards
Kelly (54’), Keillor-Dunn (77’)