Jay the hero as Exeter win promotion to League One
Captain and Academy graduate sends St James Park crazy with late goal in 2-1 win
IT had to be him. The Exeter City captain and leader, who has come through the academy system, who scored the vital goal.
The Grecians knew victory over Barrow at St James Park would be enough to seal promotion to League One. But having fallen behind early on, and drawn level, time was running out to get the winner.
But with 12 minutes to go, in what was the only real chance of the second half, the ball broke to Matt Jay. The skipper, who got on the end of Josh Key’s cross, took a touch, and fired through the legs of the Bluebirds goalkeeper to put City 2-1 up.
It was an 18th goal of the season and by far the most important and memorable. City held on, and as the final whistle went, fans invaded the pitch to celebrate only the sixth promotion in the 121-year history of the club.
“It was a brilliant moment,” Jay said. “It was so fantastic and I am over the moon.
“What a special moment for the club, players, staff and myself. It has been a great season and enjoyed it and the title is still there if we want it - and we do.
“It is special as the club means something to me, more than perhaps some of the others. I have seen the highs and the lows and to finally do it as captain is special to me, so I am over the moon.
“We get stronger as every games goes on and we feel we can hurt teams. It feels like we get stronger and it was a good time to score and fantastic. It was great for me as I want to score goals and love them, and a really important time and grateful I was the one.
“The club have been wanting to go up for many, many years, and to finally do that on a special night in front of more than 7,800 fans is a brilliant turnout.”
City fell behind to a bizarre own goal. A long throw from Remeao Hutton caused chaos in the box. Tom White stuck out a leg and didn’t get a touch, but it came back off the post, hit goalkeeper Cameron Dawson, and rebounded into the net.
But the Grecians rallied, and shortly after Kieran Phillips rattled the crossbar, the on-loan Huddersfield Town man scored his second Exeter goal - his first the only goal in a 1-0 win at Bradford - to level things up. It was a brilliant solo run from halfway, although his shot took a wicked deflection, to make it 1-1.
The second half was nervy and shot of any chances. But just as the promotion dream looked to be on hold, Key swung in a cross, Jay took a shot, and smashed home goal number 18 of the season.
“I am delighted for him, he deserves it,” manager Matt Taylor said. “If you wanted it to fall to anyone, then you hope it falls to MJ.
“It is a great reflection of what he has done and the attitude and grown into the leadership and rounded it off today.
“We have a changing room full of good people. He has been through the pathway, and nights like tonight are testament to belief and desire and how to do it.”