Ilmari Niskanen shines as Exeter climb out of bottom four after beating Barnsley

Exeter stormed out of the League One relegation zone with an emphatic 3-0 win over Barnsley at St James Park.

Despite dominating the first 20 minutes or so, Barnsley didn’t make the most of the chances they created and as Exeter got better as the half wore on, they broke the deadlock four minutes before half-time – and in some style too.

Exeter patiently worked the ball down the Barnsley right to Ethan Brierley and he stood the ball up to the back post where the outstanding Ilmari Niskanen came flying in with an emphatic volley that flew past goalkeeper Murphy Cooper from the narrowest of angles.

The Grecians dominated proceedings at the start of the second half as well and added a second just past the hour mark.

Jack Fitzwater’s header was saved by Cooper but, as the ball was turned goalwards once more, Jayden Wareham was on hand for the simplest of finishes a yard from goal.

It was 3-0 after 73 minutes when Adam Phillips was robbed of possession, Niskanen was set free on the left and he picked out Reece Cole to finish from 10 yards.

Exeter could have added more while Barnsley failed to register a shot on target until stoppage time as they were well beaten.