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Match Previews

Preview: Exeter City (A)

15 November 2019

Match Previews

Preview: Exeter City (A)

15 November 2019

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After four straight home fixtures it's finally back on the road for Michael Duff's Cheltenham Town side at Exeter City on Saturday (kick-off: 3pm).

Back-to-back cup fixtures in the FA Cup and Leasing.com Trophy have left the Robins without a League Two fixture since the beginning of the month, but now it is back to the bread and butter of League football with a trip to Devon for a no doubt testing encounter with a fifth placed Exeter team.

Cheltenham are sixth going into the contest and are one point behind their hosts having played two games less.

It has all the makings of an entertaining League Two fixture as Duff's men look to make it five unbeaten away from home - the last time Cheltenham lost on the road was at Exeter in the Leasing.com Trophy at the beginning of September.

Team news

After his first appearance in a Cheltenham shirt on Tuesday night, Reuben Reid will be hoping to be involved in the matchday 18 against one of his former clubs.

Fellow striker Tahvon Campbell is still unlikely to be involved, while Josh Debayo is making progress on his return from injury but it's too soon for the left wing back to be available.

Watch manager Michael Duff's pre-match press conference ahead of the game:

Scott Flinders also spoke to the media this week ahead of Saturday's clash.

Opposition

There is talk coming out of the Exeter camp of potentially having 10 first team players unavailable for Saturday's game because of injury issues.

The medical department at St James Park may be busy at the moment but they otherwise carry a number of other strong players at this level who will pose Cheltenham a big test this weekend - like the Robins Exeter have only lost at home in the league once all season.

At the back goalkeeper Lewis Ward has a broken arm so former Forest Green shot-stopper Jonny Maxted is the man who will don the gloves. In front of him his backline includes ex-Bristol Rovers man Tom Parkes, while the experienced Craig Woodman brings much needed calmness too.

Their midfield features a familiar face for Cheltenham fans. Nigel Atangana joined Exeter in the summer after leaving the Jonny-Rocks Stadium and the Frenchman has now recovered from the achilles injury he suffered last January at Crawley.

Another former Cheltenham face could feature. Jordan Tillson spent the second half of last season on loan in Gloucestershire from Exeter. Down the right 22-year-old Randell Williams is a livewire to watch out for.

In attack they boast the physicality of Alex Fisher and alert Ryan Bowman. Academy product Matt Jay provides plenty of energy and Lee Martin is an experienced head who can name Manchester United, Ipswich Town and Millwall amongst his former sides.

There are familiar faces on the pitch for Exeter and a familiar one in the dugout too. Former Cheltenham defender Matt Taylor is in charge at St James Park.

The 37-year-old spent the 2014/15 season in Gloucestershire and dropped into non-league football after his spell in Whaddon, going on to study and coach at Hartpury College before making his way back into the professional game.

Last time we met

Saturday's game will be the second meeting between the two clubs this season after a 3 September meeting at St James Park in the Leasing.com Trophy.

An early goal settled the final result that night. Nicky Ajose, who could return for Exeter this weekend after injury, was the scorer as he latched onto a free kick to direct the ball past Rhys Lovett from close range.

A young Robins side battled well in an attempt to earn a draw in the second half. Under-18s midfielder Tom Chamberlain (pictured) was handed his debut that day and performed well, but Jonny Maxted kept a clean sheet for the Grecians to get them off to a winning start in a group they went onto win after recording a final group win over West Ham United under-21s on Wednesday evening.

Watch back the highlights from that tie:

Tickets

Cheltenham fans can buy tickets for Saturday's game at the stadium on the day. Prices are:

SEATING

Adults £24
Seniors/Students £21
Under-18s £12

STANDING

Adults £18
Seniors/Students £15
Under-18s £7

Supporters who have booked on the Travel Club coach are reminded that it departs from the Jonny-Rocks Stadium at 10.45am. Travellers are being asked to park towards the front of the car park before boarding the coaches as some of the car park will be used for coaches attending racing at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday.

Coverage

Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news before kick-off, match updates and live photos. You can also see team news and score updates over on the club's Facebook page. You can hear full match commentary by tuning in on iFollow.

After the game check out the club website to read a match report and see reaction from inside the camp including boss Michael Duff and a member of the playing squad.

Highlights will be available on iFollow from midnight. They can also be viewed on the club's YouTube channel and on Facebook on Sunday.


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