Torquay lad Morton helps Northampton see off sorry Exeter

It was Northampton’s Town’s night at an empty Wembley Stadium as they secured promotion to League 1 after a 4-0 over Exeter in the EFL League Two Play-off Final.

To add to Exeter’s woes, the author of much of their misfortune was a Torquay lad, Callum Morton. The ginger haired youngster covered every blade of grass and netted the Cobblers’ second goal on a memorable night for Keith Curle’s team.

Ryan Watson and Morton scored in the first half to settle this promotion play-off long before the final whistle and Exeter were forced to play the last half an hour with ten men after Dean Moxey was sent off. Sam Hoskins added a third ten minutes from time. Substitute Andy Williams scored the fourth from close range.

Watson opened the scoring with a fine goal. He took his time, settled and a deflection left Jonny Maxted with no chance. It was a great start for Northampton and they barely stopped thereafter.

Charlie Goode’s free-kick found Scott Wharton’s head. Jordan Turnbull reacted first and he neatly flicked it into the path of Morton who slotted it home.

Seven minutes after half time, there was a double change for Exeter. Thomas Parkes and Archie Collins for Alex Fisher and Jayden Richardson. Watson was booked for a lunge on Randell Williams but any hope of a comeback ended shortly after when Dean Moxey was shown a straight red card on the hour for a foul on Watson. The Grecians did not give up but the hill was too steep to climb thereafter.

Hoskins put the icing on the Cobblers’ cake with a third in the 80th minute before Williams gave the scoreline a harsher look for the defeated Grecians.

That won’t bother the Cobblers whose celebrations will go on long into the night.

Adrian Kita’s Man of the Match: Callum Morton

Exeter City: Maxted; Sweeney (Brennan Dickenson 823), Ataganga (Jack Sparkes 61′), Martin, Law, Williams, Bowman, Fisher (Thomas Parkes 52′), Richardson (Alex Fisher 52′), Moxey, Taylor

Northampton: Arnold; Harriman, McCormack (Olayinka 74′), Goode, Turnbull, Hoskins, Watson (Andy Williams 88′), Adams (Marshall 12′) , Wharton, Oliver (Harry Smith 74′), Morton (Paul Anderson 88′)

Football behind closed doors