Next Up: Exeter City vs Plymouth Argyle

22.10.2025 20:24

ExeWeb

After a spirited performance in defeat to high-flying Stockport on Saturday, the big one returns after a hiatus of a couple of seasons, and somewhat surprisingly it is City who go into Thursday’s televised encounter ahead in the table. City do still have some injury worries although a couple of players have featured in the U21 cup without making it to the matchday squad, such as Sil Swinkels, so Gary Caldwell has a relatively strong squad to choose from – more so if the likes of Jake Doyle-Hayes and Sonny Cox come back into contention. One player who missed the trip to Stockport was Johnly Yfeko, with Ed Turns returning to the side. Caldwell is unlikely to shuffle his side too much with an opportunity for returning players to get some time in the EFL Trophy match with Arsenal ahead of the FA Cup trip to Halifax, with Jayden Wareham expected to remain up front with Josh Magennis.

Having returned to the third tier after an absence of two seasons and appointing Tom Cleverley as boss, the side from down the A38 were expected to challenge for an immediate return to the Championship, but things have not panned out that way so far. Defeat at home to surprise high-fliers AFC Wimbledon on Saturday leaves the Pilgrims in 20th place, one below City, and already the vultures may be circling around Cleverley. This brought to a halt an improved run of one defeat in seven in all competitions. Goals seem to be flowing at both ends in their matches with a six and two fours in amongst the goals scored during that recent run, but also four conceded at Cardiff. Lorent Tolaj leads the way with five in eight league games (seven goals altogether). One player who will be desperately unhappy to miss this match is Caleb Watts, whose departure from City in the summer drew a particularly salty press release, and would no doubt have led to a hostile reception from the fans who, like the club, invested a lot in his development.

City will look for revenge for their opposition taking six points from this fixture back in 22/23. The Sky cameras were at Home Park for a thrilling 4-2 encounter – City twice led through Collins and Nombe but were pegged back by Whittaker and Mumba before sub Ryan Hardie notched a late brace to seal the comeback victory. It was a more routine 1-0 in April at the Park as Butcher scored while City had the vast majority of possession but failed to make a breakthrough. Those wins extended the unwanted Devon Derby league record to 20-31, with a further 20 draws.

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports+.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Assistant Referees: Harley Hetherington and Andy Bennett
Fourth Official : Harrison Blair

The former USA referee will be taking charge of his third Exeter City match. Last season he took charge of the 2-0 home defeat to Wrexham, the 2-0 home defeat to Birmingham at home, and in February 2024 he took charge of the 2-1 win away at Wigan Athletic. So far this season he’s taken charge of 9 games, showing 27 yellow cards and sent off two players.

Interview with Gary Caldwell