City hit for five by promotion chasers

Grecians destroyed by a clinical Bolton

It was a lively start to the game with Exeter having more of the possession, and an early chance from a free kick in the second minute which was delivered in by Ryan Rydel and then hit by Jack Aitchison into a sea of Bolton bodies. 

Soon after City came close again as Jack Bonham in the Bolton goal dropped the ball which landed at the feet of Luca Woodhouse who rather hastily fired his effort over the crossbar. 

The Grecians good start was however undone in the 21st minute as Bolton took the lead through a close-range effort from Sam Dalby showing why the visitors are on a promotion push. 

Wanderers went close again five minutes later as a defensive error from Ethan Brierley put Dalby in on goal again which he shanked wide of the target. 

Exeter had a good chance just before the break which fell kindly to Jack Macmillan which he shot straight at Bonham in the visitor's goal. 

Half time: Exeter City 0-1 Bolton Wanderers 

The first big chance of the second half fell for Bolton’s Josh Sheehan which was astonishingly saved on the line by Whitworth from very close range. 

In the 59th minute the visitors doubled their lead from a corner as Johnny Kenny rose highest in the box to nod the ball in, leaving Exeter with a big task to turn it around.  

A few minutes later Whitworth came to City’s rescue again as Kenny latched onto a brilliant cross from the right-hand side. A busy afternoon for the keeper who was celebrating his 22nd birthday.  

From a Rydel freekick, Exeter pulled one back in the 67th minute as the deflection landed on the head of Jayden Wareham from close range, much against the run of play. 

The comeback dream was short lived however as Thierry Gale’s right foot rocketed a loose ball in the eighteen-yard box into the roof of the net. 

Am increasingly tired City conceded again just moments later as substitute Ibrahim Cissoko controlled and slotted the ball into the far-right hand corner from the edge of the box. 

After ten minutes of little action, Bolton added a fifth in stoppage time with Eoin Toal firing home after some pinball in City’s box.  

Overall, it was a reality check for the Grecians who were played off the park in the second half by an unforgiving Bolton side.  

Full time: Exeter City 1-5 Bolton Wanderers 

Attendance: 7,341 (885 away)