Next Up: Exeter City vs Crawley Town – League Cup
It’s far too early to judge, but any fears City supporters may have had going into the season after a summer of massive turnover were perhaps allayed after just 24 seconds at Wycombe when Jack Aitchison’s shot found the back of the net for a debut goal as City cruised to a comfortable 3-0 win even with a penalty saved. Attention now turns to the EFL Cup where City have been handed what on paper looks a kind draw at home to a Crawley side tipped to struggle. Gary Caldwell may be tempted to shuffle the pack, with a couple of changes possibly required as Demitri Mitchell and Dion Rankine both limped out on Saturday – with Jake Caprice having joined Burton in the summer the right side is an area of potential weakness, although if Rankine isn’t risked it might hand a chance to Mitch Beardmore, the youngster having impressed in his limited first team opportunities last season. Harry Kite has been confirmed as missing for a few weeks, but Kyle Taylor continued his long-awaited recovery with a substitute appearance at Adams Park.
Having narrowly avoided the drop last season, the pundits have predicted another long season for Crawley, but an opening day 1-0 win over fancied Bradford will have given Red Devils supporters hope. It’s thought that much will rely on Dom Telford, who was a goal machine for Newport but mustered just 12 league goals for Crawley last season. Elsewhere one name of interest to Devon supporters will be new signing Klaidi Lolos, who was unceremoniously booted out at Torquay a couple of seasons ago with Gary Johnson being very scathing about his ability. Lolos appears to have recovered from this by playing an important role in Oxford City’s promotion to the National League and has been given another chance at league level having made a dozen sub appearances for the Cornish prior to dropping into non-league.
The last time the sides met was in City’s 21/22 promotion campaign, and it was City who took maximum points from the fixture. The match at the Park finished 2-1, a brace from Dieng sealing the points before Appiah pulled one back on the stroke of half time. The reverse fixture saw City come back from a goal down at the break through Appiah, taking advantage of Nadesan being shown a second yellow just before half time for simulation with goals from Jay (which won the goal of the season award), Atangana and Nombe sealing a 3-1 win. The sides have never met in this competition but have been drawn together twice in the FA Cup, City emerging victorious both times although it took a replay in 1971/72.
The match officials for this game are:-
Referee: Christopher Pollard
Assitant Referees: Kevin Howick and Jack Clench
Fourth Official : James Durkin
The last time Chris Pollard refereed Exeter was back in October 2021 in a League Two match at Stevenage which finished 2-2.