Kamari Doyle marked his full EFL debut with a stunning left-footed free-kick to set Exeter on their way to a 2-0 win at Bolton in League One.
And manager Gary Caldwell reckons the 19-year-old former Southampton academy player, dubbed ‘the Ward-Prowse apprentice’ by Exeter’s social media team, is even stronger with his right foot.
The Brighton loanee’s corner then led to Millenic Alli doubling City’s lead four minutes into the second half.
“He can do it with both feet,” said Caldwell. “But it was his weaker foot – I think.
“His delivery was poor in the early period. But there was only one man to take that free-kick.
“He showed moments of real quality, and we are delighted to have him for the season. He is going to be a huge asset.”
The Grecians suffered a 7-0 hammering in last season’s corresponding game.
“To win any game at this level is difficult, especially to come to this stadium after last year which was a low moment for the team and the club,” added Caldwell.
“This group of players, though, look different. This group has quality but what won us the game was our mentality and our bravery at times in possession.
“I questioned the players last week and said we needed to be a tougher team to play against. And every single player was outstanding.”
Bolton have lost back-to-back league games and have not won at home this season as they suffer a hangover from last season’s League One play-off final defeat to Oxford.
Ian Evatt’s side were booed off at half-time and full-time and the Trotters boss admitted: “It was below our standard.
“We looked tired and fatigued, though I don’t think 2-0 was fair reflection of the game.
“It is a tough period, but it is not unexpected. I did feel we might suffer early because we haven’t got players 100 per cent fit, ready and up to speed.
“So, things are challenging. We need to stick together and work hard post the international break to reset and go again.
“In a season you always have difficult and tough periods, and we are in one right now. We don’t seem to get any rhythm.
“We seemed to take a step forward (a League Cup win at Shrewsbury) but this was another step back. We have to understand why and try to find a solution.
“We had 19 shots, three on target and that’s not good enough. We had some chances at good times to score but we didn’t take them and with the players we have got, we need to be better.”
Interim boss Stephen Frail expects Motherwell to appoint a new manager next week and admits their first job will be to lift the players’ confidence after a 3-0 mauling at home to Ross County.A double from Ronan Hale and Connor Randall’s last-minute strike secured an impressive victory for the Staggies at Fir Park.Defeat sees the Steelmen drop into the bottom half of the Premiership tab...
Mark Hughes heaped praise on goalkeeper Gabe Breeze after Carlisle picked up a vital point in the League Two relegation battle with a goalless draw against in-form Colchester at Brunton Park.Breeze made two excellent saves from Lyle Taylor as the Cumbrians ended a four-game losing run and the former Man City boss was astounded by the 21-year-old’s performance.He said: “The game had som...
Chesterfield boss Paul Cook launched a scathing attack on his play-off hopefuls after they surrendered an early lead to lose 3-1 at Sky Bet League Two table-toppers Walsall.The Spireites enjoyed a rapid start when Jamie Grimes’ eighth-minute header put them ahead against a wobbling Walsall side, who were winless in five matches with the chasing pack closing in.However, Bim Pepple and Dylan D...
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has allayed fears of an injury scare to top scorer Erling Haaland ahead of next week’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.Haaland went down clutching his leg in the latter stages of the champions’ 4-0 Premier League thrashing of Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday and was immediately substituted.Losing the Norwegian would be a major blow to ...
Rotherham manager Steve Evans described Thomas Parsons’ performance as “atrocious” after the referee awarded a stoppage-time penalty from which Reading snatched a 2-1 victory in League One.Reading had led 1-0 at half-time through top scorer Harvey Knibbs but Sam Nombe levelled for Rotherham from a spot-kick in the 57th minute.With the game heading for a draw, Parsons adjudged Mil...
Michael Flynn believes his team can make a charge towards the League Two play-offs places after watching them come from 2-0 down to beat Barrow 3-2 at home.Matty Taylor scored twice before fellow substitute Ashley Hay hit the winner as the Robins continued their perfect home record in 2025.Cheltenham climbed to 13th in the table and sit eight points off seventh-placed Crewe with two games in hand....
Birmingham manager Chris Davies praised Jay Stansfield’s work ethic after he lit up St Andrew’s with the only goal of a 1-0 win to sink play-off chasing Charlton.Stansfield’s 23rd-minute strike stretched City’s lead to nine points ahead of second-placed Wycombe, with Blues boasting a game in hand.Victory was City’s 30th in all competitions as they extended their unbea...
Andoni Iraola refused to get carried away after Bournemouth fans were left dreaming of a potential Champions League adventure following a first league double over south-coast rivals Southampton.Travelling Cherries fans chanted of playing in European football’s premier competition next season after their side soared to fifth spot in the Premier League table thanks to a deserved 3-1 success at...
Norwich head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup praised his side for fighting back to draw 1-1 at Hull after he demanded “I want to see my football team back”.The Norwich boss had some tough words for his team as they trailed 1-0 at half-time to the relegation-threatened side, including for Kellen Fisher – but the player then delivered the assist for Josh Sargent’s equaliser.The Un...
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Jota has a chance of starting against Bayern Munich after scoring and impressing in a 3-0 victory over Dundee United.Jota earned the club’s man-of-the-match award after cutting in from the left and curling home from 18 yards to double the lead given to the hosts by another impressive finish from Callum McGregor.The Portuguese winger has now started two gam...
