Boss Taylor is delighted with Exeter’s six appeal
EXETER City’s 6-1 thrashing of Colchester United came two weeks too early, according to manager Matt Taylor, as no fans were allowed inside St James Park to see it.
Spectators are set to be allowed to return to stadiums from December 2 in Tier 1 and 2 areas, with up to 4,000 or 2,000 able to attend, and Taylor said he hoped the convincing win - the first time Exeter had scored six goals in a game since beating Fulham 6-4 in November 1993 - would inspire them to return.
Matt Jay put City ahead after 20 minutes, and the Grecians could have been further ahead before Joel Randall made it two just after halftime.
Ryan Bowman then picked up a hat-trick - from a combined seven yards out - before Jay grabbed a sixth with the last kick of the game, with the only downside being a sloppy goal conceded to Michael Folivi.
Taylor said that he was delighted with City’s performance - which was the club’s best of the season - and that he hoped it could be replicated when fans return.
“That was almost a performance two weeks too early and I hope fans are wanting to come and watch this team,” he said:
“It won’t always be like that but we have been working towards it for a while and rewarded with for that performance.
“The scoreline reflects the performance and we could have been more goals ahead at half time. We were excellent from start to finish, and then scored early and again and again and it bred that confidence. We were on the front foot and we played like we want to tonight - on the front foot, aggressive, and we got our rewards.
“The performance was how we wanted it for ninety minutes. We capitalised on it and were great in terms of increasing the lead and staying on top. We’ve been good in patches but not taken the opportunity to be better this season, but we scored again and again and again and goals change games.
“Goals are key and we could have been further ahead but that just shows how good we were tonight. The group gave everything and kept on improving as the game went on.”
With Exeter almost certain to be placed in either Tier 1 or Tier 2, Tuesday’s win with the last behind closed doors game, and Taylor said he used that as part of the pre-match team talk.
He said: “It is soulless and no-one enjoys it but we have been strong at home. We want the fans back and in a safe environment, but they should be excited about that group. We hope they were watching at home and that will inspire them to watch and watch us.
“It’s a shame they’ve missed tonight as we don’t score six too often and they are no mugs, but we were excellent tonight.”