Fleetwood cruised to a comfortable 3-0 Sky Bet League One victory at Exeter’s home after a dominant performance in the first half.
Ryan Broom and Brendan Wiredu gave Exeter a 3-goal lead at halftime. Exeter had not won a game since the middle of September and never seemed likely to change their luck.
Broom scored in the 6th minute. Danny Mayor’s through-ball into Broom’s path split the defense and Broom coolly placed the ball beneath Viljami sinisalo.
Goalkeeper kept his team in the match by denying Omochere’s close-range shot from Broom’s corner and then recovering to parry Mayors’ follow up effort.
However, he could not prevent Cod Army from scoring their second goal just after the 30-minute mark. Patterson’s corner was perfectly positioned for Wiredu who, despite being unmarked, had just three yards to go and nodded in the second goal.
Fleetwood believed they should have been awarded a penalty after Exeter’s right-back Pierce Sweeney knocked Patterson to the ground minutes before halftime. Thomas Kirk gave a free kick a foot away from the corner of penalty area.
Patterson was not deterred and sent an excellent dead-ball attempt over the wall, just inside of the near post.
Early in the second period, there were signs that the Grecians might be able to come back. However, Jay Lynch was able to save Zak Jules’ shot. Yanic Wildschut saw his subsequent effort deflected away while Ilmari Niskanen missed his opportunity.
Fleetwood was never troubled and won with ease.
