Exeter's Niskanen hoping to spark goal rush

Ilmari Niskanen hopes his first Exeter City goal is the start of a scoring run.

The Finland international got his name on the scoresheet for the first time since moving to the League One side in the summer of 2023 in the 2-1 loss to Reading.

Niskanen - who came off the bench against England in the Uefa Nations League at Wembley last month - had played 46 times for the Grecians without scoring.

"I definitely think that goal gave me a huge boost in confidence," the 26-year-old told BBC Radio Devon.

"Not just in the Reading game, but in the previous games as well I feel like I've been getting into some really good areas compared to last season or the beginning of this season.

"So I feel like the goal has been coming for a while and I just need to continue getting into those good areas and I'm sure really there's going to be a few more goals."

The Finnish wide player has quickly become a favourite with Exeter City fans - something which he has appreciated since his move from Dundee United.

"I feel like I've really special connection with them, I definitely felt the roar after the goal, so it was something really, really special," he added.

"I think the atmosphere in general on a Tuesday was something really special, especially in the second half.

"After the game I had so many great chats with the fans, got so many brilliant messages as well, they seemed genuinely happy for me which is absolutely fantastic."

Niskanen had chances to increase his tally against Reading - he hit the post and spurned another good opportunity.

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell says it is no more than the player deserves.

"You see in every single game, whether he plays good or bad, he gives absolutely everything for the cause," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"It's something he's been working on, he's getting more and more opportunities for him to score.

"I'm delighted for him and hopefully that's the first of many goals

"He had so many chances because of his desire to get in the areas where you score goals, but then it's his quality and the finish - the actual goal he scored was probably the hardest chance he had.

"He's showed that he can do it, now he has to keep that belief and that consistency in his actions, and if he does that I'm sure he'll score many more."