No fizz, rules Tis, with O’s the focus

EXETER City manager Paul Tisdale let his players celebrate for ten seconds after a thumping victory at bottom club Newport County, then ordered them to focus their minds on tomorrow’s home clash with Leyton Orient.

A first hat-trick in senior football from Ollie Watkins and a tap in for David Wheeler saw the Grecians claim an eighth away win of the season.

Tisdale’s men climb to 11th in the League Two table, just five points off the play-off places.

But the boss is keen to keep his players’ feet on the ground, having struggled so badly in the first part of the season.

“It’s a really good result for us considering how tight the first half was,” he said.

“They challenged our goal more than we challenged theirs.

“To come away winning 4-1 is great. We were really strong in the second half, we did the basics, nothing flashy, but effective.

“I’m really pleased, but our heads and minds have to be focussed on Monday’s game now.”

Watkins headed in the opener in first-half injury time and fired in a second from close range on 47 minutes, before completing his treble in the 95th minute after Wheeler had killed off County on 53 minutes.

“It’s his first hattrick, but it’s no surprise as he’s scored goals and he’s in good form,” said Tisdale.

“He played a simple game and was set up by others, but he took his goals really well. I told him to enjoy it but not get carried away with another game in two days.

“I let them celebrate for ten seconds then it was back to it.”

Sean Rigg headed in a consolation goal for the hosts on 82 minutes but manager Graham Westley knows he will have to be busy in the January transfer window.

Six straight defeats have left his side five points from safety at the bottom.

“I’m pretty realistic about where we are,” said the Newport boss. “We’ve got a group of lads at the club who are at a certain stage in their ability and their performance and that’s been consistent for a long period of time.

Some of the ingredients that you need in a winning team aren’t here at the football club.

“The window has been shut and there’s been nothing we could do to bring new ingredients in.

“We’ve had to try our best to win games with the ingredients that are here.

“We have to bring in one or two big characters in January.”