Scot Bennett scored his second goal of the season in the stunning 4-0 victory at Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.
Bennett scored the third County goal on a perfect afternoon for the Exiles, blasting the ball through Christian Doidge’s legs and past goalkeeper Sam Russell from just inside the area on 78 minutes.
That goal means Bennett has now already surpassed his tally for the entirety of the last campaign, with the defender also boasting two assists from recent matches.
Bennett’s cross supplied the goal for Shawn McCoulsky against Swansea City U23s, before Bennett rose highest from a corner to set up Padraig Amond’s first goal against Rovers.
Post-match, Bennett spoke exclusively to iFollow Exiles about his recent run of good form, preparing for a tough game against Colchester United tomorrow and how the Rovers win was one of the best of his career to date.
On the manner of victory against Forest Green…
“I thought we were brilliant today.
“From start to finish we put in a great performance and each player to each man was brilliant.
“To get the goal early on made us settle down a bit and then just after half-time, we did sit back a bit and let them back into it.
“But once we kicked on again I thought we were outstanding and to get the two goals at the end I thought was different class.”
On how this victory ranks as a career highlight…
“I’ve had a few really good performances but as a team performance I think it’s up there, without question.
“To each man, we were outstanding and as a team performance I would have to say that’s it’s one of the best performances I’ve ever been involved in.
“And that’s definitely for my whole career too. Like I said, the performance was of the best I have ever been involved with definitely without doubt.
“I had a few at Exeter which were good days but today is definitely up there with the best I have ever been involved in.”
On adding another goal to his Exiles tally…
“To score in one of the best performances that we’ve ever put in is definitely a bonus.
“It’s something I look to do – popping up with a goal here and there to help the team and luckily today it was a win.
“I said afterwards at Morecambe when I was asked about it that I didn’t have a bad goal scoring record at Exeter City. It was five or six each season so I have been disappointed with the last two or three seasons because I’ve only had one or two here or there.
“I said that I hoped to get a few more this year and hopefully that will come true.”
On Padraig Amond finally getting off the mark away from Rodney Parade…
“Yeah definitely it’s great for him because he’s only scored at home so far.
“On the bus today on the way up, the gaffer told him that it was about time that he scored away from home.
“I think his response was that he would get a hat-trick so two isn’t that bad and he’ll definitely continue to kick on and score more goals for the team.”
On the defensive display…
“Defensively, as a back three we got it right today.
“We stepped in when we had to, we sat off when we had to and these are the games that you are most pleased with.
“It doesn’t look like you’ve got a lot to do but really off the ball you’ve worked extremely hard. Like I’ve said, as a team we played really well but the back three especially, each man to their own was fantastic today.”
On trying to get Mike Flynn three points for his birthday present with victory over Colchester United…
“Nah, it adds no extra pressure whatsoever!
“It’s going to be a tough game, each side in this league has their own attributes and things that they are good at. But we’ll look to counter that and put in a performance that we know we can do because that’s what is going to give us the best chance of getting another three points.
“It would obviously be nice to win and get the points for the gaffer because he puts in a lot of work to help the team.”