Exeter play at The innocent New Lawn on Tuesday 20th April. The Grecians are in mixed form at the moment. Just 2 wins in their last 9 games, a disappointing 0-0 home draw against Southend last time out and a 2-1 loss away at Barrow before that. However, prior to these last 2 games, Exeter went to Cambridge and won 4-1.
One thing Exeter fans haven’t been short of this season is goals. With 65 scored in their 41 games, only Oldham are ahead of them as League 2’s highest scorers. Leading the scoring is their striker Matt Jay with 17 this season (plus another 7 assists), while strike partner Ryan Bowman is close behind him on 13 goals.
Exeter come to TiNL lying in 8th in the table, 2 places and 4 points behind Rovers. It’ll be a disappointment for the Grecians if they don’t at least achieve a play-off place this season. The reverse fixture between the teams was a hard-fought 1-1 draw on Boxing Day, Aaron Collins 16th minute goal cancelled out by Archie Collins equaliser.
Matt Jay (number 17) leads Exeter’s scoring this season.
The 2 clubs have a number of odd connections. Mark Cooper’s dad, Terry, managed the club for 2 spells between 1988 and 1995. Alan Ball managed the club for 3 years in the 1990’s. FGR fans may remember Exeter keeper, Jonny Maxted, who had a spell with Rovers. Maxted tends to be the second choice keeper this season with Exeter usually preferring Jokull Andresson. Elliott Frear is a former Exeter City Academy graduate.
Some odd facts about Exeter-
- Their home ground is St James’ Park (confusing for Newcastle United fans!) and they have played there since 1904.
- Paul Tisdale is Exeter’s longest serving manager (between 2006 and 2018).
- Michael Jackson was made an honorary director of the club in 2002 and came to the club at the invitation of his friend and fellow club director, Uri Geller.
- Famous fans include Joss Stone, Adrian Edmondson, Noel Edmonds and Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
- Exeter is owned by its fans, the Exeter City Supporters Trust having bought a majority shareholding in the club in 2003. Only Newport and AFC Wimbledon in the EFL also have fan ownership.
- A turbulent financial time for the club ended when they drew Manchester United in the FA Cup 3rd round in 2005. They drew 0-0 at St James Park before losing 2-0 in the Old Trafford replay (Rooney and Ronaldo scoring the goals). Income from these 2 games was nearly £1 million and allowed the club to virtually clear its debts.
