Match preview: City v Carlisle United

All you need to know about the Grecians match with Carlisle United on Saturday

9 March 2018

Exeter City will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce when they face Carlisle United at St James Park on Saturday.

The Grecians go into the match sixth in the table, four points off the automatic promotion places with at least two games in hand on all the teams above them.

However, Carlisle United come into the match three points outside the play-off places themselves and on the back of a morale-boosting run that has seen them pick up four wins on the spin. Manager Paul Tisdale is expecting a tough match.

“Keith (Curle) and myself are both still in charge so we still have that knowledge of each other and that recent history but the players are different,” said Tis. “The dynamics of teams in League Two change quite regularly even with consistency of managerial positions. However, they are in form at the moment. They have won four out of four coming into this match, so they need to be respected.

Meanwhile Carlisle boss Keith Curle sees a lot of mutual respect between both clubs following their matches against each other in the play-off semi-finals last season.

“Exeter are another group with good ethics, and fair play to Paul [Tisdale] because he has galvanised that football club,” he said. “They’re enjoying an upward spiral and this is two teams going into a game who are looking to finish the season on a high.

“Both managers have a level of respect for each other and I think we both enjoy putting our teams up against each other. There are aspects of the way Exeter do things that I appreciate and enjoy. I know there are things Paul likes about the way we go about our business as well.”

TICKETS

There is a still a few seats left in the IP Office Stand for the match against Carlilse United, but you should buy in advance to avoid disappointment.

Tickets should still be available to purchase, for the Thatchers' Big Bank on the day, but the club is advising that supporters buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

You can do this by clicking on the following link and then collect your ticket from the ticket booth in Red Square on matchday.

MATCHDAY SPONSORS

Thank you to our match sponsor Coastal Recycling, our associate match sponsor Thatchers and our ball sponsor RGB Bulding Supplies.

All three companies are loyal supporters of Exeter City and you can find our more about the work they do by clicking on their name.

MINUTE’S APPLAUSE

Exeter City supporters will be holding a minute's applause at Saturday's match against Carlisle United for City fan Daniel (Danny) McCarthy, who sadly passed away this week.

Danny worked as a steward at St James Park for 21 years and all at Exeter City are deeply saddend to hear of his sudden passing. The minute's applause is planned to take place during the 68th minute.

NEW HOSPITALITY FACILITIES

Supporters attending match day hospitality or events and conferencing at St James Park will be able to make use of the new bar and toilet facilities at the Park.

To finish off the refurbishment of the Supporters' Trust suite, a brand new, more modern bar has been installed which saves a little space in the room, and is more pleasing on the eye.

As part of the upgrades the position of the ladies and gents’ toilets have now been swapped, something to bear in mind if attending tomorrow's match, with works being completed on one set, and the other being done after the Yeovil Town match.

We hope you enjoy the upgraded facilities.

GROUND INFO

Redevelopment Work: The away terrace and the Stagecoach Family Stand will not be open to supporters for Saturday’s game due to the redevelopment work at the club. All entry for home fans will be via the Stadium Way turnstiles into the IP Office Main Stand or the Thatchers' Big Bank.

There will be no entry possible from the Jungle Path/Well Street side on to the Thatchers' Big Bank. For more information read the following article.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Jordan Storey is the main feature interview in Saturday’s programme as the young defender talks about his progression into the first team this season.

There all the usual features as well with former right-back and fans’ favourite Christian Ribeiro taking on the football first, best and worst quiz. You can purchase a copy of the programme for £3 at various points around the ground including the club shop & reception.

FAMILY ZONE

The Junior Grecians family zone will be open to its members from 12.30pm on Saturday and then to the general public, including away supporters, from 1.30pm. The zone has video consoles, large TV screens, a refreshments stall and table football.

The zone is located in Red Square. For more information on it read the following article.

MASCOTS

Our mascots for today’s game are the following: Isaac Darke, Sam Reddin and Frazer Sanders. You can read their profiles on page 11 of the matchday programme. If you would like to be a matchday mascot at one of our games contact our operations manager Andy Gillard via email at andy.gillard@ecfc.co.uk.

CLUB SHOP

The club shop will be open from 11am to 5pm on matchdays. The club shop is located in Red Square at the back of the IP Office Stand.

Match Reports

City 1 Carlisle United 1

Grecians held at St James Park

10 March 2018

Exeter City were held to a 1-1 draw by Carlisle United at St James Park in Sky Bet League Two.

In a tight affair Dean Moxey gave the Grecians the lead with a left footed finish before the visitors rallied and levelled the match in the second half through substitute Ashley Nadesan.

MATCH REPORT SPONSORED BY SPEEDY FREIGHT

City boss Paul Tisdale had a strong squad to choose from and opted to make just one change from City’s win last time out over Grimsby Town, as Pierce Sweeney made his return from injury to replace the suspended Kane Wilson.

The opening 10 minutes of the match saw both sides deliver dangerous crosses into the box, but Christy Pym and Jack Bonham, in the Carlisle goal, were left untested.

The Grecians were also forced into a substitution after just six minutes when captain Jordan Moore-Taylor limped off injured after challenging with Hallam Hope, as Craig Woodman replaced the defender.

Chances were scarce for much of the first period with neither side able to create too many clear-cut opportunities. Out of the two, Keith Curles’ side looked the more likely through the pace of Hallam Hope looking to get in behind and the Grecians were forced to defend a succession of corners.

City were then forced into a second change when Lee Holmes also came off injured and was replaced by Kyle Edwards just after 30 minutes.

The Grecians had to wait until the 40-minute mark to create their first real chance of the game when Hiram Boateng’s free-kick almost found Troy Brown at the back post, but after his volley a Carlisle deflection took the ball behind for a corner.

And their second chance of the match saw the game’s first goal when a succession of corners finally led to Jake Taylor nodding the ball back into the box and Moxey found himself unmarked and on hand to slot the ball past Bonham with his left foot.

The Grecians had a good chance just moments before half-time after good hold-up play from Jayden Stockley saw the ball find its way to Taylor on the right, but his dangerous cross was kept out well by Bonham.

City started the second half much the better side, with Boateng controlling things in the City midfield. They created a good chance on 55 minutes when the City number 44 played a brilliant through ball into the path of Taylor, but his shot was straight at the Carlisle goalkeeper.

United created an excellent opportunity just after the hour mark when they broke free from a City attack. Substitute, Nadesan, did well to hold the ball up before it arrived with Jamie Devitt just inside the box, but his effort was just wide of Pym’s goal.

Nadesan was back amongst the action just seconds later when he fired the away side level after Taylor was dispossessed in midfield. The sub made no mistake when he went through on goal and fired high into the far corner.

Both sides continued to trade blows throughout the half, and City were inches from going ahead on 75 minutes when Taylor cut inside onto his left to fire the ball just over Bonham’s goal from the edge of the box.

City then had Pym to thank on 88 minutes when Hope made space for himself before shooting at goal forcing a smart stop from the Exeter goakeeper as the sides ended the match level.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, Tillson, Harley, Holmes (Edwards, 33), Stockley, Moore-Taylor (Woodman, 7), Moxey, Taylor, Brown, Boateng

Subs not used: Jones, James, Archibald-Henville, Simpson, Jay

Booked:

Carlisle United: Bonham, Joyce (Lambe, 65), Liddle, Parkes, Jones, Hope, Devitt, Bennett (Twardek, 77), Ellis, Stockton (Nadeson, 56), Hill

Subs not used: Gray, Grainger, Brown, O’Sullivan

Booked: Joyce, Liddle

Attendance: 3,488 (Inc, 201, away)

Ticket News

⚽️ Grab the last remaining seats for tomorrow's big match against Carlisle

Be part of the action at SJP

9 March 2018

City return to action at St James Park this Saturday, March 10 against Carlisle United in a 3pm kick-off.

After the frustration of Saturday's postponement due to snow, City will be eager to get going again, currently sitting in sixth place after picking up six points on the road against Crewe Alexandra and Grimsby Town. A win over Carlisle United would be huge to City's promotion push. Your support as the 12th man makes all the difference.

City's home form has been exceptional so far in the 2017/18 season, and a run of 7 unbeaten (6 win, 1 draw) came to an end with a narrow defeat against Mansfield Town last time out.

Tickets:

There are around 30 seats still available in the IP Office Main Stand as of Friday, March 9. The stand has sold out for all of City's home league matches so we advise booking as soon as you can.

To purchase tickets online, please click here. You can also call the club during the normal office hours on 01392 411 243 (option 3) or visit the club shop and reception in person between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Standing tickets in the Thatchers' Big Bank, the largest standing terrace in the football league, for the match should still be available to purchase on the day, but again the club is advising that supporters buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment, and to take advantage of advanced discounts.

Thank you for your support.

Exeter City FC

Standings

Match preview: City v Carlisle United

City 1 Carlisle United 1

⚽️ Grab the last remaining seats for tomorrow's big match against Carlisle

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