Match report

Exeter City Defeats Barnsley 3-0 in League One Clash

Exeter City
Exeter City
3–0
FT
Barnsley
Barnsley
Dec 20, 2025

Exeter City stunned Barnsley with a comprehensive 3-0 win at home in the League One match. The Grecians dominated proceedings, scoring through I. Niskanen, J. Wareham, and R. Cole to secure all three points.

Key Facts

  • • Exeter City 3–0 Barnsley
  • • Goals: I. Niskanen (41'), J. Wareham (61'), R. Cole (73')
  • • Yellow Cards: P. Sweeney (Exeter), P. Kelly, D. Keillor-Dunn (Barnsley)

Lineups

Exeter City

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 1 J. Whitworth (G)
  • 26 P. Sweeney (D)
  • 5 J. Fitzwater (D)
  • 20 L. Woodhouse (D)
  • 2 J. McMillan (M)
  • 6 E. Brierley (M)
  • 31 J. Doyle-Hayes
  • 14 I. Niskanen (M)
  • 10 J. Aitchison (F)
  • 19 S. Cox (F)
  • 9 J. Wareham (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 J. Bycroft
  • 16 S. Swinkels
  • 34 L. Oakes
  • 29 K. McDonald
  • 12 R. Cole
  • 7 C. Mendes
  • 17 A. Higgins

Barnsley

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Cooper (G)
  • 30 J. Bland (D)
  • 4 M. Roberts (D)
  • 5 J. Shepherd (D)
  • 27 T. Watson (D)
  • 8 A. Phillips (M)
  • 48 L. Connell (M)
  • 23 N. Farrugia (M)
  • 22 P. Kelly (M)
  • 19 R. Cleary (M)
  • 40 D. Keillor-Dunn (F)

Substitutes

  • 51 K. Flavell
  • 3 J. Russell
  • 6 M. de Gevigney
  • 7 C. Vickers
  • 11 F. Jalo
  • 39 L. Farrell
  • 45 V. Yoganathan

Timeline

  1. Exeter City
    41' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    I. Niskanen · Assist: E. Brierley
  2. Exeter City
    45'+2 Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    P. Sweeney
  3. Barnsley
    54' Barnsley Card · Yellow Card
    P. Kelly
  4. Barnsley
    58' Barnsley subst · Substitution 1
    Off: N. Farrugia · On: F. Jalo
  5. Exeter City
    59' Exeter City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: S. Cox · On: R. Cole
  6. Exeter City
    61' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Wareham · Assist: L. Woodhouse
  7. Barnsley
    62' Barnsley subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Bland · On: J. Russell
  8. Exeter City
    73' Exeter City Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Cole · Assist: I. Niskanen
  9. Barnsley
    76' Barnsley subst · Substitution 3
    Off: P. Kelly · On: Vimal Yoganathan
  10. Barnsley
    77' Barnsley Card · Yellow Card
    D. Keillor-Dunn

    Argument

  11. Barnsley
    77' Barnsley subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Adam Phillips · On: M. de Gevigney
  12. Exeter City
    84' Exeter City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: J. Doyle-Hayes · On: K. McDonald
  13. Exeter City
    84' Exeter City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Aitchison · On: A. Higgins
  14. Exeter City
    90'+2 Exeter City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: E. Brierley · On: L. Oakes
  15. Exeter City
    90'+2 Exeter City subst · Substitution 5
    Off: J. Wareham · On: C. Mendes

Match Stats

Stat Exeter City Barnsley
Fouls 8 9
Pass Accuracy 72% 76%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 15 9
Corners 6 3
Total Passes 411 488
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 4 5
Shots on Target 7 1
xG 1.93 0.79
Shots off Target 4 3
Possession 46% 54%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 296 371
Shots Inside Box 14 5
Saves 1 4
Shots Outside Box 1 4

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ I. Niskanen's early goal in the 41st minute gave Exeter City a crucial lead and momentum.
  • ▸ J. Wareham doubled Exeter’s advantage with another goal at 61 minutes, ensuring Barnsley faced an uphill battle.