An emotional Jay Stansfield admitted he ‘started to well up’ after scoring his first goal in 23 games for Exeter City in front of the Big Bank this afternoon.

The on-loan Fulham forward finished off the scoring as Gary Caldwell’s Grecians thrashed Accrington Stanley 5-0 at St. James’ Park this afternoon, getting on the end of a raking through ball from Jordan Sparkes and lashing a finish between the goalkeeper and the near post to round off Exeter’s biggest win of the season. Joyous celebrations followed to mark the end of the 20 year-old’s barren run in front of goal and his first senior goal at the home of his boyhood club.

After scoring his first goal since October, Stansfield told Devon Live:

“I was delighted with it, it has been a long time coming. I started to well up a bit as it means that much. To do it in front of the Big Bank, it has nearly taken the whole season, but I am glad I have done it. My finishing is a key part of my game but this season I have been having chances and not taking them. I came here for my development and to learn and have done that massively and matured as a player. I have not scored as many goals as I would have liked to, but for that one to go in now, it sets me in good position for the end of the season, and I can now kick on.”

The young striker, whose late father Adam was a club legend, feels he has learned plenty from his goalscoring drought and reiterated how special the support of the City fans has been for him personally.

“I have had ups and downs with confidence and to go months without a goal, it was a bit of a kick in the teeth. But it is all part of the learning and to adapt to it and still perform. This was a special moment for the whole family and the fans and it is like having a twelfth man here. The club is amazing and when my time is up I will be devastated, but I have really enjoyed my time here.”