Boss Taylor applauds his hat-trick hero Matt
MATT JAY was hailed by Exeter City boss Matt Taylor after scoring the first hat-trick of his career in the Grecians’ rout of Leyton Orient.
Jay stole the headlines with his treble, but it was
Joel Randall who got Exeter off to the perfect start with the opening goal of the game.
The Grecians could have won by a larger margin with Orient struggling to create anything of note and such was Exeter’s dominance, with all four goals coming in the first 50 minutes, that Taylor was able rest players ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Scunthorpe.
“Matt Jay has earnt what he is this season,” said Taylor.
“He is a top quality player. He has to get the ball in the right areas as, with the greatest respect, he isn’t the biggest and most physical player. His contribution in that final third is such a threat.”
Of his team’s display, Taylor added: “It was a really good performance. We managed to start the game better than them and it was important that it showed with the goals as well.
“We were on the front foot and positive from the start.”
Exeter’s first goal came after 11 minutes when Randall ran on to Ryan Bowman’s ball and drilled a low shot through the legs of keeper Lawrence Vigouroux.
Jay added a second two minutes later. He lashed a 25-yard shot goalwards, the ball swerved, but Vigouroux fumbled it and looked on in horror as the ball squirmed over the line.
Jay made it 3-0 just before the break, finishing off a sublime move, bundling in from close range after Randall’s attempt had come back off a post.
Jay completed his hat-trick from the spot after 50 minutes, after Randall had been fouled by Tunji Akinola.
Orient’s Conor Wilkinson did force Jokull Andresson into making a save on the hour mark, but the O’s were well beaten.
Orient’s interim manager Jobi McAnuff said: “That’s the difference between a really good side and one that hasn’t been good enough at times.
“They were way better all over the pitch in every area.
“We were second to everything. They had a greater desire.”