Next Up: Exeter City vs Wycombe Wanderers – FA Cup
City bowed out of one competition this week, thrashed 4-0 by a very impressive Luton side in the EFL Trophy, but attention will have been more on Saturday’s FA Cup match – one which has taken on extra significance bearing in mind the increasingly desperate sounding financial picture at City at present, exacerbated by the fire that necessitated the postponement of the Burton fixture. With the ground now being declared fit for staging a full fixture, albeit with further repairs needed, Gary Caldwell will be desperate to ensure City’s number is in the bowl for the 3rd round draw – with Tony Cascarino hopefully being dusted off to repeat his exploits of late 2004. On the injury front, two further players missed the narrow defeat at Bradford last weekend and, while Danny Andrew may be back in contention, Caldwell appeared to rule Reece Cole out in his post-match interview at Bradford. There was brighter news, however, with the return of Sonny Cox in Wednesday night’s U21 cup defeat at Luton – with Kieran Wilson out on loan at Torquay until January there is scope for Cox to come back in and try to earn a regular spot.
Since the league fixture between the sides in August, Wycombe have had a change at the top with Michael Duff coming in as manager to replace Mike Dodds. He has seen an upturn in the Chairboys’ fortunes – until Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy defeat at Northampton they had gone unbeaten in all competitions since a 2-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon in late September, a run that has seen Wycombe move from the relegation zone to the top half and looking further up. With Richard Kone having gone to QPR there is a vacancy open for a regular scorer, with Sam Bell (six) and the long-serving Fred Onyadinma (five) leading the way. Wycombe’s victory in the first round was toasted in Exeter, being as it came against that lot down the A38.
Saturday marks the first meeting between the sides in the FA Cup having met three times previously in cups (one EFL Cup, two EFL Trophy) with Wycombe emerging victorious every time – the last occasion being on penalties in the EFL Cup in 21/22. The league match between the sides back in August at Adams Park saw the hosts dominate only for City to win 1-0 through a Jack Grimmer own goal.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: James Durkin
Assistant referees: Ciaran Barlow & Thomas Staten
Fourth official: Kai Morgan
This will be James Durkin’s scond time in charge of a City game this season, in October he took charge of the 1-1 draw at home to Reading. Last season he took charge of the Wycombe League One game at home which finished 2-2.
Interview with manager Gary Caldwell
Interview with Jake Doyle-Hayes