I am ecstatic for the team, and the environment was fantastic. I am ecstatic that the team and club have secured the vital three points.
Ilmari Niskanen of Exeter City said that the Grecians’ crucial three-point victory was a true team effort and a significant step towards securing their place in League One for the upcoming campaign. At St James Park, City held onto their first-half lead to defeat struggling Burton Albion 1-0 despite having to play 45 minutes with ten men.
Just before halftime, Niskanen had set up Reece Cole for his fifth goal of the year, ending the tie. The midfielder was able to score from ten yards out after the Finn broke down the right and cut the ball back.
However, an incident in the tunnel resulted in Zak Jules’ dismissal during halftime, leaving City shorthanded for the second half. Though John Brayford rattled the crossbar, Gary Caldwell’s team held firm and never really looked like levelling.
After the win, City moved up to the fifteenth spot in League One; the difference between them and the relegation zone is now 21 points. Although Exeter hasn’t yet guaranteed their survival, their victory on Saturday—which gives them seven points in a week—brings them very close to doing so.
“Those three points were huge,” the 26-year-old remarked. “Everyone on the team displayed excellent character; we had to fight, and we succeeded.”
“As a team, we played excellent defence. The first half could have been better; they had a few good chances, and we gave them too many set pieces. However, we were excellent with the ball, created opportunities, and scored a fantastic goal.
“I am ecstatic for the team, and the environment was fantastic. I’m overjoyed that the team and club have secured the vital three points.
Niskanen took part in the pivotal moment that determined the outcome of the match. After Jack Aitchison successfully identified his run down the right, the Finn returned the ball to Cole, who finished it. However, Exeter should have taken the lead very early on after an almost identical move in the third minute, but Luke Harris fired over.
“We kept the ball in their half, I recognised the space behind the line, and it was something we have been practising,” Niskanen said of the goal. Jack made a fantastic pass, and I saw that Reece had a fantastic finish and the goal was well-scored by the team.
With the victory, City has now won two straight games and is almost certainly done enough to guarantee that they will finish in the third division for three seasons in a row. At full time, the energy was electric, and Niskanen honoured the supporters.
“The entire team has received amazing support from everyone here,” he remarked. “We would like to thank everyone for giving us energy in the second half, which allowed us to run.”
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