Eoin Toal-tal Football

Wanderers run rampant against Exeter

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Bolton Wanderers sauntered to the summit of League One in scintillating style with a 7-0 demolition of Exeter City at the Toughsheet Stadium. Recent performances in the victories over Blackpool and Stockport suggested that this was a team capable of finding another gear this season, even if the respective score lines suggested that The Super Whites had edged close matchups. Ian Evatt's side found that gear, and more, in Saturday's demolition job.

Unfortunately for Exeter City, on a torrid run of form themselves, they found themselves up against a refreshed opponent in the aftermath of the international break. On paper, the two sides had identical formations, but Gary Caldwell's decision to play a flat back five proved ill-advised. Bolton wing backs Jack Iredale and Josh Dacres-Cogley camped themselves in opposition territory from the outset, leaving the inside flanks exposed for Eoin Toal and Gethin Jones to carry the ball unchallenged into the Exeter half.

Dacres-Cogley had Zak Jules on the back foot from the off, linking up beautifully with Jones, George Thomason, Paris Maghoma and Dion Charles to create openings on the right flank. Although testing, these early chances came to naught. The Grecians game plan was clear: sit in, aim to frustrate the home side, and hit on the counter attack when the opportunity provided itself. With makeshift centre forward Cheick Diabate alone up front, an Exeter goal looked unlikely. Rico Santos makes defending look easy in League One, but this was the easiest afternoon he'd faced all season.

The breakthrough came in the 34th minute. Just as it looked to be a frustrating first half for a dominant Bolton side, some beautiful one touch football resulted in an inch perfect cross from Dion Charles on the right byline, with Iredale capitalising with a powerful header into the back of the net. In a first half where it seemed a matter of when, rather than if, Bolton would score, the question was now: how many?

A deserved second goal came from a clever set piece routine with two minutes to go until the half time whistle. A short corner one-two between Josh Sheehan and Charles left the Welshman with space and time to find a precision pass, with Victor Adeboyejo finding the finishing touch from a yard out for his sixth goal of the season.

Gary Caldwell had a conundrum at half time. With his game plan out of the window and his side two goals down, what could The Grecians muster in the second half to get back into the game? He needn't have worried. Ian Evatt's side were in a ruthless vein of form.

The second half began with both Portsmouth and Oxford United trailing in their respective fixtures. A spot at the top of League One was on offer, and The Wanderers were going to get there in style.

The third came just ten minutes into the second half. A defensive error gifted George Thomason the ball on the edge of the Exeter box, who found Maghoma to hammer home into the roof of the net. Some intricate build up play just minutes before had provided Maghoma with the chance to strike, but he found the goalkeeper’s feet, a rare save for Viljami Sinisalo in the Exeter goal. This time, Maghoma made no mistake, a deserved goal for the Frenchman. Maghoma's recent performances have made him the first name on the team sheet. If Bolton Wanderers want Maghoma on a permanent basis, they may need to get a deal done in January. If his performances continue to dominate and impress in the way they have so far, bigger fish will begin to take an interest.

The fourth goal came on the hour mark. Dion Charles, after two impressive performances leading the line for Northern Ireland in the international break, had been instrumental in the build up to the first two Bolton goals. He got one of his own thanks once more to some outstanding linkup play on the right flank. Dacres-Cogley, Thomason and Jones combined to create space for the cross, with Charles able to prod his left foot at the ball and direct it into the Exeter net. There seemed to be no let up from Evatt's men, who were determined to run up the score. Substitutes Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Aaron Morley added impetus to a purring attack. With Oxford and Portsmouth both down to ten men and trailing, the stars seemed to be aligning.

Charles’ second, and the Wanderers fifth, came after Morley's exquisite cross found Iredale. His shot was saved, but the rebound cannoned off the Wanderers’ top scorer for his second goal. Dreams of a hat trick were quickly dashed, with Charles substituted for Dan Nlundulu before the game restarted.

The sixth goal came from another corner, though this seemed to be a more traditional set piece effort than the one which led to Adeboyejo’s first half goal. A cross from Morley was flicked to the back post by Nlundulu, where an unmarked Kyle Dempsey was waiting to head home.

Dempsey turned provider in the dying minutes. The fourth official had decided that six additional, miserable minutes for Exeter were necessary. The Wanderers fans clamoured for a seventh, and Nlundulu duly obliged when he turned Dempsey's cross home. His celebration seemed overzealous for a 7-0 scoreline, but the relief and joy on his face was palpable. Teammates surrounded Nlundulu to congratulate him on his goal, whilst Evatt stood with a knowing smile. Whilst fans have not been shy in their criticism of his performances this season, few have the temerity to question his desire and effort. The reaction of his teammates to the final goal of the game shows how much they appreciate him, too.

The final whistle eventually blew on an outstanding, bitterly cold November afternoon of football. Oxford and Portsmouth had suffered shock defeats, and the Wanderers were top of League One. The Exeter fans did not hide their anger towards Gary Caldwell, saving just one sympathetic applause for Sinisalo, who had picked the ball out of his net more times than ever before this season.

The last time Wanderers won 7-0 was in 1997 at home to Swindon town. Thompson, McGinlay, Blake, Bergsson and Frandsen were all on the scoresheet that day. It was the final season at Burnden Park, and The Super Whites won the First Division with 98 points and 100 goals scored. The gauntlet is laid out for this side - win League One. Whether they make a better rabbit than they did a greyhound remains to be seen, but it will be one hell of a ride to find out. Visits to Oxford and Portsmouth will determine the next phase of this promotion push.

Let's have it.