Match ends, Exeter City 3, Colchester United 0.
ExeterExeter City3ColchesterColchester United0
Matt Jay netted his third goal in five games to get Exeter's play-off push back on track courtesy of a 3-0 win over Colchester.
The Grecians striker struck on the stroke of half-time, planting a half-volley past Rene Gilmartin.
Jay turned creator for the second goal in the 66th minute when he sent a deft chip into the path of Holmes, who lifted the ball over the advancing Gilmartin.
Nicky Law sealed the win in the 76th minute after latching on to Hiram Boateng's pass and prodding the ball home.
It was only Exeter's second win in their last seven games but the three points were enough to leapfrog Colchester back into the top seven.
The first half was a triumph of endeavour over creativity until Jay produced the only moment of quality.
Exeter survived a scare at the start of the second half as the ball ricocheted into the path of Sammie Szmodics and his shot was brilliantly saved by Christy Pym.
After Holmes stretched Exeter's lead, Colchester poured forward and Mikael Mandron and Szmodics forced Pym into smart saves.
But Law wrapped up the win, leaving Colchester with only one win from their last six games.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Exeter
Formation 4-4-1-1
- 1Pym
- 20Wilson
- 4O'Shea
- 21Moxey
- 3WoodmanBooked at 53mins
- 10HolmesSubstituted forCollinsat 75'minutes
- 44BoatengSubstituted forBrownat 81'minutes
- 25Taylor
- 8Law
- 17Jay
- 12BowmanSubstituted forWilsonat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Martin
- 11Williams
- 13Hamon
- 14Forte
- 19Wilson
- 27Collins
- 39Brown
Colchester
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 25Gilmartin
- 18Eastman
- 5ProsserSubstituted forEisaat 71'minutes
- 6Kent
- 2Jackson
- 19Mandron
- 24Stevenson
- 22Vincent-Young
- 10Szmodics
- 7SeniorSubstituted forMillerat 87'minutes
- 9Norris
Substitutes
- 1Barnes
- 11Dickenson
- 16Wright
- 27Chilvers
- 35Kensdale
- 39Eisa
- 47Miller
- Referee:
- Scott Oldham
- Attendance:
- 3,951
Match Stats
Home TeamExeterAway TeamColchester
- Possession
- Home55%
- Away45%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away15
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away7
- Corners
- Home9
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away6
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Exeter City 3, Colchester United 0.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Donovan Wilson (Exeter City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Attempt blocked. Donovan Wilson (Exeter City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Post update
Foul by Nicky Law (Exeter City).
Post update
Kane Vincent-Young (Colchester United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Substitution
Substitution, Exeter City. Donovan Wilson replaces Ryan Bowman.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Christy Pym.
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Attempt saved. Mikael Mandron (Colchester United) left footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Todd Miller replaces Courtney Senior.
Post update
Attempt saved. Ryan Jackson (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top left corner.
Post update
Corner, Exeter City. Conceded by Frankie Kent.
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Attempt saved. Matt Jay (Exeter City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
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Corner, Exeter City. Conceded by Rene Gilmartin.
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Attempt saved. Kane Wilson (Exeter City) right footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Exeter City. Troy Brown replaces Hiram Boateng.
Post update
Ryan Bowman (Exeter City) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Frankie Kent (Colchester United).
Post update
Attempt missed. Mikael Mandron (Colchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right following a corner.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Jake Taylor.