Match Preview: Exeter City (H)

15 December 2023

Stevenage welcome Gary Caldwell’s Exeter City to The Lamex Stadium this afternoon for another big battle in Sky Bet League One…

As the campaign reaches its midway point, Stevenage continue to be enjoying the dream start to life in the third tier after earning promotion earlier in the year. Steve Evans’ side sit an impressive third in the table, behind only Bolton and Portsmouth.

Earlier this week, attention briefly turned to the FA Cup as Boro met Port Vale for a second-round replay. A late Stevenage equaliser in normal time, and then in extra time, meant the game would be decided by a penalty shootout.

Taye Ashby-Hammond pulled off two superb saves in the shootout to send Boro into the third round to play Maidstone United away from home.

The Opposition

Exeter City won four of their first six league games this season, and looked as if they were going to enjoy an exciting campaign. However, their form over the last couple of months has been extremely disappointing as they have seen themselves drop to 20^th in the table.

The Grecians have failed to win a league game since the 16^th of September, so they will be arriving at The Lamex with a big point to prove. They have also failed to score in their last four league games, with their most recent clash ending in a 1-0 home defeat to Port Vale.

They have struggled for goals for a large portion of this campaign so far, but their top scorer is Ryan Trevitt who has five to his name in all competitions. Exeter’s captain, Will Aimson, has played at centre-back in all of his side’s League One games this season, but is suspended for today’s match after receiving two yellow cards last weekend.

The Manager

Gary Caldwell was appointed as Exeter manager in October 2022, and last season guided his side to a 14^th placed finish in League One. He previously had managerial spells at Partick Thistle, Chesterfield and Wigan Athletic, where he won the League One title.

Against their former club

Jamie Reid started his career with Exeter City, where he made his professional debut as an 18-year-old. He made 28 appearances for the Grecians, scoring three goals. Reid signed for Stevenage in July 2021, and has become a fan favourite, earning the nickname ‘Big Goal Reidy’. An incredible 17 goals from 27 appearances is his current tally for the season.

Exeter City’s Jack Aitchison may be a familiar name to Stevenage supporters. The 23-year-old spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at The Lamex Stadium, where he made 26 appearances, predominantly as a winger under Alex Revell. Aitchison is likely to feature against his former club this afternoon, having made 15 league appearances this season.

Officials

Ross Joyce has been appointed Match Referee for today’s game, with Paul Lister-Flynn and Damith Bandara as Assistants, and David Harrison as Fourth Official. Joyce has handed out 76 yellow cards and six reds in 18 games this season.

Match Reports

Report: Stevenage 1-1 Exeter City

16 December 2023

Stevenage held to a draw despite a battling performance...

Stevenage returned to The Lamex Stadium for the final home game before Christmas, as they were met with Gary Caldwell’s Exeter City. Boro were in third place ahead of kick-off and had a good opportunity to remain in the top group of promotion hopefuls.

The gaffer made six changes from Tuesday’s dramatic win over Port Vale as Nathan Thompson, Dan Sweeney, Jake Forster-Caskey, Nick Freeman, Louis Thompson and Kane Hemmings all returned to the starting eleven.

Boro started the brighter of the two sides as they looked to take an early lead. Nathan Thompson played a pin-point pass to Luther James-Wildin on the right who delivered a looping cross to Dan Butler at the back post, but he was unable to guide his header goalward.

After twenty minutes, Dan Butler was tripped right on the edge of the area, to give Stevenage a free kick in a dangerous position. A cross was sent into the area, but Vil Sinisalo was able to collect.

Very little action occurred in the 18-yard areas over the next twenty minutes as the sides struggled to create any clear-cut chances. Boro were patient and hardworking but had nothing to show for it as half-time approached.

The hosts came close five minutes before the break as Jamie Reid and Exeter’s goalkeeper raced for a loose ball, with the latter getting there just in time. The ball then fell to Hemmings who tried his luck from thirty yards, but his effort hit the chest of Sinisalo.

Shortly before half-time, former Boro man Jack Aitchison received his second yellow card of the afternoon, reducing Exeter to ten men for the entirety of the second half.

As the fourth official indicated two minutes of added time at the end of the first half, Stevenage found their opener. Dan Sweeney’s cross met the head of Carl Piergianni who made no mistake from his headed effort as it floated into the far corner.

Ahead of the second half, Exeter made a change with Yanic Wildschut coming on for Kyle Taylor, and it proved to be a good swap as Wildschut equalised within minutes of entering the field of play.

Before the hour mark, Boro made their first chance as Nick Freeman made way for Jordan Roberts who was looking to make an impact of his own.

Stevenage were on top after Exeter’s equaliser as they looked to regain their lead. Kane Hemmings had the ball in the area and looked to square it, but the visitors cleared the danger.

Boro kept pushing and pushing for that second goal and had twenty minutes to do so. Jamie Reid found plenty of space on the left-hand side of the area, before laying it off to Jordan Roberts who fired over from close-range.

A double Boro change was made with fifteen remaining as Harvey White and Elliott List were introduced in place of Jake Forster-Caskey and Kane Hemmings.

List had an opportunity to give his side the lead as ten minutes remained, but his powerful effort from inside the area forced Vil Sinisalo into a smart stop.

It was all Stevenage in the closing stages of the game as the hosts look to win it late on. Nine minutes of added time were displayed as Boro pushed on.

Stevenage had a free kick on the edge of the area deep into added time, with Harvey White stood over it, but the midfielder’s ball into the box was collected by the Exeter stopper.

No matter how hard Boro tried they just could not find the back of the net late on, as the referee blew his final whistle to give the sides a point each.

Stevenage will now prepare for a trip to Barnsley next weekend before welcoming Northampton Town to the Lamex on Boxing Day.

Attendance: 4,007 inc 352 away supporters.

Ticket News

Third-placed Stevenage take on Exeter City on Saturday

13 December 2023

Get your tickets now for Stevenage vs Exeter City in Sky Bet League One on Saturday 16th December at 3pm...

Match tickets are available at www.borotickets.co.uk, the Stevenage FC Club Shop (Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays 10am-5pm) and from the North Stand Ticket Office on the day of the game.

*Supporters under the age of 14 years old must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Stand	Adult	Conc	Under 18*	Under 12*
East	£20	£18	£14	£5
North	£24	£22	£16	£10
West	£25	£23	£18	£12

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