Stevenage make the 388-mile round trip to Devon this Saturday for a League One battle with Gary Caldwell’s Exeter City…
Just five games remain for Steve Evans’ men, and they remain well within the race for the League One play-offs, which is a fantastic achievement in itself. Of course, Stevenage will be looking to get back to winning ways this weekend at St James’ Park, a ground in which they have won just two of their previous 18 encounters.
It is not the first visit to Exeter this season, as Boro travelled down on a Tuesday night in August for a Carabao Cup clash. Jordan Roberts’ second half goal took the game to a penalty shootout, but it was the hosts who came out on top.
Stevenage are on a run of three games unbeaten but have been unable to pick up a win during that stretch, so they will be hoping that their fortunes change this Saturday.
The Opposition
Exeter City were candidates for relegation at one stage, but they have seemingly turned it around as they now sit 15th in the table. They sit 12 points outside the drop zone with five games to play, so they are extremely close to confirming their safety.
The Grecians have won 14 of their 41 league games this season, drawing nine and losing 18, and are currently on an unbeaten run of five games. In that five-game unbeaten run, they have won three of their last four games as they look to finish the campaign strongly.
It was a fairly positive Easter weekend for Saturday’s hosts, as Good Friday saw them earn a 1-1 draw at home to Charlton Athletic, with Ben Purrington opening the scoring early on.
Easter Monday was superb for the Grecians though, despite going a goal down early in the second half. They went on to complete a comeback, with Reece Cole grabbing the winner from the penalty spot on the 90th minute.
Exeter have struggled for goals at times this season, but Cole sits at the top of their scoring charts with six to his name.
The Manager
Gary Caldwell has been in charge of Exeter City since October 2022 and has established the club as a mid-table League One side. Previously, he enjoyed managerial spells with Partick Thistle, Chesterfield and Wigan Athletic, where he won the League One title.
The Stadium
St James’ Park has been the home of Exeter City since it opened back in 1904 and has a current capacity of 8,219. A record attendance of 20,984 was set in 1931 in an FA Cup clash with Sunderland. Away supporters are typically housed in the Tracks Suzuki Stand.
Officials
Lewis Smith has been appointed Match Referee for Saturday’s fixture, with Grant Taylor and Samuel Fudge as his Assistants, and Elliott Swallow as Fourth Official.
Smith oversaw three Japanese top-flight games last month, before returning to his refereeing duties in England. He has also been the man in the middle for two Premier League clashes this season. His record stands at 150 yellow cards and six reds in 39 games.
