WANDERERS (3-4-1-2)

 

JAMES TRAFFORD… 6.

Had a couple of very routine stops, mopped up a few balls which dropped on the edge of the penalty area and otherwise had a nice simple afternoon. He won’t complain.

WILL AIMSON… 7.

It is not easy for a centre-half to come out of the cold and not show some signs of rustiness – yet Aimson has done pretty well in his last two showings.

EOIN TOAL… 8.

Looked eager to impress on his first Saturday afternoon start in front of a big UniBol crowd. Headed it, got his challenges in, chased back when necessary. A proper defender’s day.

GEORGE JOHNSTON… 7.5.

Wore the captain’s armband with pride for the last 20 minutes and his no-nonsense defending hit exactly the right chord. Got forward, too, which is a big plus.

CONOR BRADLEY… 7.5.

Grabbed a goal, missed a sitter, and struck almighty fear into Exeter hearts every time he turned to run at Jamal Blackman. Just a class act.

AARON MORLEY…6.5.

Got involved in the build-up to the second goal and while his work on the ball was not quite as accurate as usual, he got through plenty of work.

JOSH SHEEHAN… 6.

Lots of effort but couldn’t quite get himself on the ball enough and ended up running himself to a standstill in the second half. His top form will come.

JACK IREDALE…7.

Wanderers so often look to the right for inspiration – but Iredale was in a really good groove in the second half, linking with Afolayan and Lee, which bodes well.

KIERAN LEE… 7.

Captain from the off and Exeter simply didn’t know where he was going to pop up. Ran out of steam in the second half but really is good to watch at his best.

DION CHARLES…8.5.

Ten goals now for the season, which is some going as a Bolton Wanderers striker before Christmas. The last striker to manage it? Nicolas Anelka. Welcome to an exclusive club, Dion.

DAPO AFOLAYAN…7.5.

Starting to really look the part alongside Charles, linking play, becoming a focal point for his defence and midfield to aim for. Evolving into a much better player.

Subs: Williams 71 (for Sheehan), Dempsey 71 (for Lee), Kachunga 77 (for Charles), Sadlier 79 (for Afolayan), Beck 79 (for Iredale).

Not used: Dixon, John.

Exeter City (3-4-1-2): Blackman; Diabate, Grounds, Hartridge; Key, Kite, Collins, Caprice; Chauke; Brown, Stansfield.

Subs: Sparkes 61 (for Caprice), Dieng 61 (for Grounds), Nombe 61 (for Chauke), Kay 82 (for Collins).

Not used: Harper, Lee, James.

Referee: Scott Oldham 8.5/10: Exeter boss Gary Caldwell complained that the officials had been “terrible” but it was hard to see why. Oldham had kept completely out of the limelight, his only big decision being to disallow Key’s goal for offside on his linesman’s advice. He refereed calmly and let the game flow. No complaints here.

Attendance: 19,942