Exeter City Football Club edge Wycombe in stoppage-time thriller
Exeter City Football Club claimed a dramatic opening-day victory in League One on Saturday, beating Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 thanks to a 90th-minute header from Sonny. The Grecians, who finished 21st in the 2025-26 campaign with 49 points from 46 games, now start their new season with a positive note.
What happened in the 90th minute?
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time at Adams Park. A corner from the left found Sonny unmarked six yards out, and he powered a downward header past the Wycombe keeper to seal the points. The goal came just as Exeter looked set to settle for a draw, but Sonny’s late strike ensured the visitors left with all three points.
Wycombe had started brightly under their new manager, but Exeter’s defence held firm until the final whistle. The visitors’ recent run of three losses and two draws before this clash suggested nerves, yet they showed resilience to grab the winner when it mattered most.
Why it matters for Exeter City Football Club
This narrow win is crucial for Exeter City Football Club’s confidence as they aim to improve on last season’s 21st-place finish. With 52 goals scored and 61 conceded over 46 games, their defensive record remains a concern, but Sonny’s late heroics offer hope for the new campaign.
The Grecians sit 54 points behind league leaders Lincoln City, who dominated the 2025-26 season. Exeter will need to cut that gap quickly if they’re to challenge for a higher finish this time around. Manager Gary Caldwell will be pleased with the character shown, but knows his side must tighten up at the back.
What comes next for the Grecians?
Exeter City Football Club return to St James Park for their next home game, where fans will hope to see more late drama. The squad faces a tough run of fixtures early in the season, with back-to-back away trips to Portsmouth and Bolton Wanderers.
Sonny’s goal will be the talk of the weekend, but the focus now shifts to how the team builds on this performance. Can they string together results to climb the table, or will early-season inconsistency again drag them into the lower reaches?
