Next Up: Exeter City vs Cardiff City – EFL Trophy

City’s win-loss streak in the league was unfortunately broken on Saturday with a limp defeat to Port Vale, and attention now turns to the first EFL Trophy group match against a side hoping that this year’s entry into the competition will be a one-off. Gary Caldwell will use this as an opportunity to give game time to fringe players, youngsters and those returning from injury – Reece Cole returned off the bench on Saturday and may start, while Johnly Yfeko is also nearing contention and may get some minutes.

After something of a surprise relegation, Cardiff are setting about showing why they are favourites for an immediate return and are so far unbeaten in all competitions. New boss Brian Barry-Murphy had something of a clearout in the summer, suggesing the Bluebirds’ squad was perhaps a bit bloated, as even with a mass exodus he has still used 22 players in the league so far with a further six being named in squads but not yet used. Like Caldwell, Barry-Murphy will use this competition to blood his youngsters and fringe players, although Joel Colwill would likely want to take the field after a mixed loan spell with City in the second half of last season – Colwill has joined his brother as a regular in the Cardiff first team this season.

When Cardiff were regularly in the third and fourth tiers this was a regular fixture in this competition, particularly back when it was a hyper-regionalised group format – sadly Soccerbase hasn’t yet recorded these fixtures aside from one meeting in the 02/03 season which was the last time the sides met in any competition and saw Cardiff win 3-0.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis
Assistant Referees: Thomas Staten and Declan O’Shea
Fourth Official: James Hooper

Robert Massey-Ellis has not taken charge if an Exeter City before, he normally referees in the National League.

Interview with Gary

Interview with Jack Bycroft