Exeter City striker Josh Magennis hailed the togetherness of the Grecians to bounce back from a disappointing weekend defeat as they won 2-1 victory over Barnsley at Oakwell. The win moved City up the table and one step closer to another season in League One.
Ryan Trevitt’s first goal of the season put City ahead with 14 minutes gone, before on the stroke of half-time, Ed Turns thought he’d made it two on the stroke of half-time, only to see his header ruled out.
Stephen Humphrys made City pay when just before the hour he levelled it up for the Tykes on the break. But late on, Magennis won it for Exeter. The skipper robbed Mael de Gevigney before smashing home the finish at the near post, against the run of play, to the City fans’ delight, as he netted his 12 th of the season.
Goal celebrations for Josh Magennis of Exeter City during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
"We are massively pleased,” the skipper said. “We needed to right some wrongs from Saturday as performance was underwhelming," he stated. "To come to a big club after such a hard game, it was important to put it right and we did.
“We played with no fear, a tricky evening, but testament to the work we do during the week. What we don’t lack is character and a togetherness, as much as we want quality, want character and to be relied on on the pitch and we have that in abundance.
"There is a way to lose, on Saturday we were off it, and we got beat, but to come here and bounce back, had no fear, and fully believe we can beat anyone and have shown it this season."
Describing his goal, Magennis said: "It was a high press, I put the pressure on, forced the mistake, and the goalkeeper gambled and I managed to slot it in, a good one to take."
Goal celebrations for Josh Magennis of Exeter City during the EFL League 1 match between Barnsley and Exeter City at Oakwell Stadium, Barnsley on 1 April 2025 (Photo: Jake Manuell/PPAUK)
On Trevitt, the captain added: “He’s fantastic and he is a smooth operator. You cannot deny his quality not just in possession and out of possession so hope he can kick on now and score more, but if he doesn’t, we know what he brings to the team."
It is now just one defeat in eight for City who rise to 16 th in the League One table and on 48 points, albeit with Burton Albion’s win, the gap to the bottom four stays at nine points. Barnsley’s slim play-off hopes are fading as they are winless in five as they stayed 11 th .