Match report

Rotherham Stuns Exeter City with a 4-0 Victory in League One

Exeter City
Exeter City
0–4
FT
Rotherham
Rotherham
Jan 31, 2026

Rotherham marched past Exeter City with an emphatic 4-0 win at St. James Park on Tuesday, sealing a crucial three points in the League One standings. Rotherham's goals from Baptiste, Rafferty, Harry Gray, and McWilliams ensured they outclassed their opponents throughout the match.

Key Facts

  • • Rotherham scored four unanswered goals against Exeter City.
  • • Goals came from J. Baptiste (28'), J. Rafferty (71'), Harry Gray (72'), and S. McWilliams (75').
  • • Exeter's E. Brierley received a yellow card for a foul at 24'.
  • • Late yellows were given to Exeter players J. Magennis (83') and I. Niskanen (86').

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)
  • 14 I. Niskanen (M)
  • 6 E. Brierley (M)
  • 31 J. Doyle-Hayes
  • 34 L. Oakes (M)
  • 12 R. Cole (F)
  • 9 J. Wareham (F)
  • 7 C. Mendes (F)

Substitutes

  • 23 J. Bycroft
  • 4 E. Turns
  • 17 A. Higgins
  • 10 J. Aitchison
  • 28 T. Tuterov
  • 27 J. Magennis
  • 19 S. Cox

Rotherham

Formation: 4-3-3

Starting XI

  • 1 C. Dawson (G)
  • 2 J. Rafferty (D)
  • 15 J. Baptiste (D)
  • 3 Z. Jules (D)
  • 6 R. James (D)
  • 7 J. Powell (M)
  • 44 D. Gore (M)
  • 8 K. Spence (M)
  • 17 S. McWilliams (F)
  • 10 S. Nombe (F)
  • 24 H. Gray (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 T. Cann
  • 18 L. Agbaire
  • 36 E. Adegboyega
  • 26 H. Douglas
  • 23 J. Holmes
  • 16 D. Yearwood
  • 11 A. Martha

Timeline

  1. Exeter City
    24' Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    E. Brierley

    Foul

  2. Rotherham
    28' Rotherham Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Baptiste · Assist: J. Powell
  3. Rotherham
    40' Rotherham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Daniel Gore · On: E. Adegboyega
  4. Exeter City
    57' Exeter City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Oakes · On: A. Higgins
  5. Exeter City
    57' Exeter City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Cole · On: J. Aitchison
  6. Exeter City
    57' Exeter City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: C. Mendes · On: T. Tuterov
  7. Rotherham
    71' Rotherham Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Rafferty · Assist: S. Nombe
  8. Rotherham
    72' Rotherham Goal · Normal Goal
    Harry Gray · Assist: S. McWilliams
  9. Exeter City
    74' Exeter City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: J. Wareham · On: J. Magennis
  10. Rotherham
    74' Rotherham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Spence · On: D. Yearwood
  11. Exeter City
    75' Exeter City subst · Substitution 5
    Off: P. Sweeney · On: S. Cox
  12. Rotherham
    75' Rotherham Goal · Normal Goal
    S. McWilliams
  13. Rotherham
    77' Rotherham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: S. Nombe · On: A. Martha
  14. Exeter City
    83' Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    J. Magennis

    Argument

  15. Exeter City
    86' Exeter City Card · Yellow Card
    I. Niskanen

    Foul

  16. Rotherham
    90'+7 Rotherham Card · Yellow Card
    A. Martha

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Exeter City Rotherham
Fouls 16 6
Pass Accuracy 85% 71%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 13 11
Corners 4 5
Total Passes 515 270
Yellow Cards 3 1
Blocked Shots 5 1
Shots on Target 2 7
xG 0.64 1.53
Shots off Target 6 3
Possession 65% 35%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 438 191
Shots Inside Box 9 9
Saves 3 2
Shots Outside Box 4 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Rotherham took the lead in the 28th minute when J. Baptiste scored from an assist by J. Powell, which shifted momentum decisively in their favor.
  • ▸ The Gills sealed their victory with three goals within five minutes (71', 72', and 75') to secure a comprehensive win over Exeter City.