Match report

Bolton Stuns Exeter City 5-1 in League One Clash

Exeter City
Exeter City
1–5
FT
Bolton
Bolton
Feb 28, 2026

Bolton emerged victorious over Exeter City by a scoreline of 5-1, dominating the second half after an early goal from Sam Dalby. Despite a brief comeback attempt led by James Wareham's goal for Exeter, Bolton maintained their composure and secured a comprehensive win.

Key Facts

  • • Bolton scored five goals against Exeter City with Sam Dalby (21'), Joe Kenny (60'), Tom Gale (72'), Ismaël Cissoko (77'), and George Johnston (94') scoring for Bolton.
  • • James Wareham netted the only goal for Exeter City at 67'.
  • • Exeter City had three yellow cards: James Fitzwater, Jonny Magennis, and Jamie McMillan.
  • • Bolton also received a yellow card from George Johnston at 35'.

Lineups

Exeter City

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Joe Whitworth (G)
  • 26 Pierce Sweeney (D)
  • 5 Jack Fitzwater (D)
  • 20 Luca Woodhouse (D)
  • 14 Ilmari Niskanen (M)
  • 6 Ethan Brierley (M)
  • 2 Jack McMillan (M)
  • 3 Ryan Rydel (M)
  • 10 Jack Aitchison (F)
  • 27 Josh Magennis (F)
  • 9 Jayden Wareham (F)

Substitutes

  • 45 Charlie Cummins
  • 23 Jack Bycroft
  • 33 Tom Dean
  • 28 Timur Tutierov
  • 34 Liam Oakes
  • 19 Sonny Cox
  • 17 Akeel Higgins

Bolton

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Jack Bonham (G)
  • 14 Jordi Osei-Tutu (D)
  • 18 Eoin Toal (D)
  • 3 Chris Forino (D)
  • 6 George Johnston (D)
  • 8 Josh Sheehan (M)
  • 21 Ethan Erhahon (M)
  • 15 Robert Apter (M)
  • 10 Sam Dalby (M)
  • 11 Thierry Gale (M)
  • 9 Johnny Kenny (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 David Harrington
  • 29 Cyrus Christie
  • 20 Ibrahim Cissoko
  • 25 Max Conway
  • 4 Xavier Simons
  • 22 Kyle Dempsey
  • 48 Mason Burstow

Timeline

  1. Bolton
    21' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    S. Dalby · Assist: J. Kenny
  2. Bolton
    35' Bolton Card · Yellow Card
    George Johnston

    Foul

  3. Exeter City
    39' Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    J. Fitzwater

    Foul

  4. Exeter City
    45'+2 Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    J. Magennis

    Foul

  5. Exeter City
    46' Exeter City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: P. Sweeney · On: C. Cummins
  6. Bolton
    60' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Kenny · Assist: J. Sheehan
  7. Exeter City
    67' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Wareham
  8. Bolton
    72' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    T. Gale
  9. Exeter City
    75' Exeter City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Magennis · On: T. Tuterov
  10. Exeter City
    75' Exeter City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: R. Rydel · On: A. Higgins
  11. Exeter City
    75' Exeter City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. McMillan · On: L. Oakes
  12. Bolton
    75' Bolton subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Gale · On: I. Cissoko
  13. Bolton
    77' Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Cissoko · Assist: S. Dalby
  14. Bolton
    80' Bolton subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Robert Apter · On: M. Burstow
  15. Bolton
    80' Bolton subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Sheehan · On: Xavier Simons
  16. Bolton
    80' Bolton subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Kenny · On: K. Dempsey
  17. Exeter City
    81' Exeter City subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Fitzwater · On: T. Dean
  18. Bolton
    90'+4 Bolton Goal · Normal Goal
    George Johnston · Assist: S. Dalby

Match Stats

Stat Exeter City Bolton
Fouls 15 6
Pass Accuracy 74% 84%
Offsides 6 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 20
Corners 4 3
Total Passes 371 499
Yellow Cards 2 1
Blocked Shots 3 4
Shots on Target 4 10
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 6
Possession 43% 57%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 274 418
Shots Inside Box 7 16
Saves 5 3
Shots Outside Box 3 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Sam Dalby opened the scoring for Bolton with an assist from Joe Kenny in the 21st minute, setting the tone for the match.
  • ▸ Exeter City responded briefly through James Wareham's goal at 67', but Bolton regained control and added four more goals by the end of the game.