In the present paper we analyse a finite element method for a singularly perturbed convection---diffusion problem with exponential boundary layers. Using a mortaring technique we combine an anisotropic triangulation of the layer region (into rectangles) with a shape regular one of the remainder of the domain. This results in a possibly non-matching (and hybrid), but layer adapted mesh of Shishkin type. We study the error of the method allowing different asymptotic behaviour of the triangulations and prove uniform convergence and a supercloseness property of the method. Numerical results supporting our analysis are presented.