Match ends, Exeter City 6, Colchester United 1.
ExeterExeter City6ColchesterColchester United1
Ryan Bowman bagged a second-half hat-trick as Exeter turned in a superb performance to thrash Colchester 6-1 at St James Park.
Exeter started well and went in front in the 20th minute when Joel Randall showed great skill down the left and crossed low for Matt Jay, who produced a cute finish from close range.
The second goal that Exeter's play deserved finally arrived eight minutes after the break when Randell Williams sent Jay clear and he squared for Randall to tap into an empty net.
And the third followed soon after when Bowman slid in to convert Jack Sparkes' perfect cross.
Bowman added his second, again from close range, after more sensational wing play from the outstanding Randall.
Randall went off after that and almost immediately, Colchester, who were beaten by Exeter in the League Two play-offs last season, pulled one back as Michael Folivi got the better of Alex Hartridge and side-footed in off the far post.
Bowman then notched his hat-trick goal in stoppage time as he was in the right place to tap in from close range after Sparkes had seen his effort come back off the crossbar, then almost immediately, Nicky Ajose struck the post and Jay finished from close range.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Exeter
Formation 4-4-2
- 24Andrésson
- 30Key
- 26Sweeney
- 15Parkes
- 3Sparkes
- 11WilliamsSubstituted forAjoseat 82'minutes
- 8Taylor
- 10CollinsSubstituted forAtanganaat 81'minutes
- 14RandallSubstituted forHartridgeat 73'minutes
- 12Bowman
- 17Jay
Substitutes
- 4Atangana
- 6McArdle
- 7Law
- 18Fisher
- 22Lee
- 25Ajose
- 34Hartridge
Colchester
Formation 4-1-4-1
- 1Gerken
- 2Welch-HayesSubstituted forHarriottat 45'minutes
- 18Eastman
- 5Smith
- 3Bramall
- 8Pell
- 23PokuSubstituted forNorrisat 45'minutes
- 14ChilversSubstituted forFoliviat 45'minutesBooked at 61mins
- 24StevensonBooked at 81mins
- 7SeniorSubstituted forScarlettat 56'minutes
- 10BrownSubstituted forBohuiat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 6Sowunmi
- 9Norris
- 11Harriott
- 17Scarlett
- 29George
- 37Bohui
- 39Folivi
- Referee:
- Trevor Kettle
Match Stats
Home TeamExeterAway TeamColchester
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home27
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home9
- Away3
- Corners
- Home12
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away8
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Exeter City 6, Colchester United 1.
Goal!
Goal! Exeter City 6, Colchester United 1. Matt Jay (Exeter City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box to the bottom left corner.
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Nicky Ajose (Exeter City) hits the left post with a right footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Ryan Bowman.
Post update
Foul by Jack Sparkes (Exeter City).
Post update
Joshua Bohui (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Exeter City 5, Colchester United 1. Ryan Bowman (Exeter City) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box to the bottom right corner.
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Attempt saved. Jack Sparkes (Exeter City) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Matt Jay.
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Foul by Ryan Bowman (Exeter City).
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Tommy Smith (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Jack Sparkes (Exeter City) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right from a direct free kick.
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Nicky Ajose (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Thomas Eastman (Colchester United).
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Attempt missed. Ryan Bowman (Exeter City) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jack Sparkes.
Substitution
Substitution, Exeter City. Nicky Ajose replaces Randell Williams.
Substitution
Substitution, Exeter City. Nigel Atangana replaces Archie Collins.
Booking
Ben Stevenson (Colchester United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Matt Jay (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Ben Stevenson (Colchester United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Randell Williams (Exeter City) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Ryan Bowman with a headed pass.
