📝 Big match preview: City v Newport County AFC

All you need to know about Saturday's match against Newport County AFC

17 August 2018

Exeter City will be looking to continue their winning start to the 2018/19 season when they take on Newport County AFC at St James Park.

City have won all three of their matches so far this campaign, beating Carlisle United at home on the opening day before securing victories over Morecambe and then Ipswich Town.

However, Newport County AFC go into Saturday's match on the back of two victories including an impressive 4-1 win over Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Therefore, manager Matt Taylor is expecting a tough test this Saturday.

“Newport are a good, strong team and they are on the back of two excellent victories as well," said Matt.

“We are under no illusions how difficult the weekend is going to be. They will be in our face, they will be physical and they are a good team as well.

“He (Mike Flynn) has signed some good players. I know the manager pretty well.

“They have got good players in their group as have we and I expect it to be a real battle Saturday and hopefully we can come out on top, but we are going into every game with the same mindset to try and win the game."

WHEN WE LAST MET

Exeter City last played Newport County AFC on New Year's Day at Rodney Parade. County took the lead through a Padraig Amond header before Jayden Stockley equalised. However, a swift counter-attack and good shot from Robbie Willmott secured the points for the Welsh outfit.

TICKET NEWS

The IP Office Stand is sold out for Saturday's game with Newport County AFC, meaning that there is only standing tickets available in the Thatchers' Big Bank. We would urge supporters to buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment although it is likely you will still be able to purchase tickets for the game on the day or pay by cash on the turnstiles. If you want to buy your ticket in advance you can do so by clicking on the following link or by calling 01392 413952.

MATCHDAY SPONSORS

We would like to welcome our match sponsors City Plumbing and ball sponsor Dana Mulligan Marketing and PR to today's game.

For more information about any of our sponsorship opportunities please contact Matt Kimberley at matt.kimberley@ecfc.co.uk.

REMEMBERING FRANK SEALEY

Frank Sealey’s relatives join us at the game as we get the opportunity to come together to remember a much-loved member of Exeter City’s family.

Frank was the Trust Membership Secretary, membership co-ordinator of the Junior Grecians and stalwart of the ExEC 100 Club and we’ll be saying a few words about Frank at half time to be followed by a hugely deserved round of applause.

Click here to find out more.

GROUND INFORMATION

Redevelopment work: Due to the ongoing work around St James Park, all entry for home fans will be via the Stadium Way turnstiles into the IP Office Main Stand or the Thatchers’ Big Bank.

Turnstiles will open from 2pm.

MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Our matchday programme, The Grecian, will be available around the ground for just £3. Inside you can read an exclusive feature with right-back Pierce Sweeney as well as all the regular content from our contributors.

FAMILY ZONE

The Junior Grecians family zone will be open to its members from 12.30pm on Saturday and at 1.30pm for everyone else, including away supporters. The zone has video consoles, large TV screens, a refreshments stall and table football. It is located near the players' entrance at the IP Office Stand.

MASCOTS

We have four mascots at this afternoon's match: Harri Highman, Aiden Richardson, Connor Evans and Daisy Baker.

You can read their profiles in the matchday programme. If you would like to be a matchday mascot this season, then 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 give you the opportunity to make some purchases ahead of the match and will close at 5.30pm.

Match Reports

📝 City 1 Newport County AFC 1

Points shared at St James Park

18 August 2018

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

Despite going ahead through Jayden Stockley's first half header, the Grecians were pegged back by Mark Harris late in the game as the sides shared the points.

Match Report sponsored by Speedy Freight

The Grecians made three changes to the side that started the Carabao Cup tie with Ipswich Town in midweek as Dean Moxey, Lee Holmes and Jonathan Forte all came into the side against the Exiles.

A competitive opening 10 minutes saw Mike Flynn’s side create the first chance of the match when the ball dropped kindly for Jamille Matt to fire powerfully at goal just inside the box, but for Christy Pym who made a vital stop.

The resulting corner then caused havoc in the City area before the ball eventually rebounded off Jake Taylor on the goal line with Pym then able to pounce and collect.

The Grecians failed to create any real clear-cut chances in the opening 15 minutes, despite Forte looking dangerous in behind, as Jayden Stockley shot over from distance.

But City managed to get themselves in front when Stockley’s glancing header found Joe Day’s far corner from Jake Taylor’s in-swinging free-kick, as the striker netted his second goal of the season.

Newport then had a good chance to go level when Padraig Amond rose in the air under pressure from Troy Brown, and the ball eventually fell to Josh Sheehan, who blazed over.

A physical first period, which saw a number of free-kicks given for both sides, then came to an end as Matt Taylor’s side took a narrow lead into the break.

The first attempt of the second period fell to Jordan Tillson, who hit a first-time volley just over Day’s goal from the edge of the Newport box.

Substitute Keanu Marsh-Brown would have the away side’s first attempt of the second-half as he was forced to shoot from distance as the Grecians defended their box well, with the Newport number 10’s effort going well over Pym’s goal.

City then had Aaron Martin to thank when Marsh-Brown drove a dangerous low cross in, and the City central defender did well to intercept and clear away the danger.

The Grecians then went inches from going 2-0 up just after the hour mark when Pierce Sweeney put in a dangerous cross, and Holmes did well to find himself a yard of space before directing a header low towards the left-hand corner, but for an excellent save by Day.

Two more chances fell for City on 75 minutes when Stockley rose well to head straight at Day from close range, which preceded a chance for substitute Nicky Law, who floated an effort to the far corner but could only find the crossbar.

And the Grecians would be made to rue those missed opportunities when the away side levelled through Harris. On the counter attack, the substitute did well to ride the challenges of Dean Moxey and Troy Brown before finishing past Pym.

Law then broke through the County midfield on 85 minutes as City searched to go back in front. The midfielder did well to find himself some space before shooting narrowly wide past Day’s goal, as the game ended one apeice.

Exeter City: Pym, Sweeney, A. Martin, Tillson, Holmes (L. Martin, 83), Stockley, Forte (Abrahams, 66), Moxey, Taylor, Brown, Boateng (Law, 74)

Subs not used: Hamon, Woodman, Jay, Oates

Booked: Abrahams

Newport County AFC: Day, Pipe (Marsh Brown, 45), Butler, Franks, Dolan, Amond, Matt (Semenyo, 60), Bakinson, Sheehan (Harris, 73), Bennett, Demetriou

Subs not used: Townsend, Forbes, O’Brien, Cooper

Booked: Franks, Bennett

Attendance: 4,239 (Inc, 332, away)

Ticket News

⚽️ UP NEXT: City take on Newport County AFC at SJP on Saturday

Back the boys this Saturday as a new era continues...

17 August 2018

The Matt Taylor era rolled on Tuesday night as the Grecians beat Championship side Ipswich Town on penalties to book their place in the second round of the Carabao Cu

Up this Saturday is Newport County AFC in a 3pm kick-off. Make sure you are part of the action. By booking tickets in advance you can save money and time queuing on match day.

The IP Office Main Stand is currently sold out for the match but keep checking tickets.ecfc.co.uk in case there are any returns.

Tickets are on sale for the match and can be purchased in one of three ways.

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.

Ticket prices are as follows, advance tickets are available up to the day before the match.

Thatchers Big Bank		Ticket Prices
Ticket Type	Advance	Gate
Adult	£16	£17
Senior	£13	£14
Student	£13	£14
Under-18	£4.50	£5
Wheelchair Area	£13	£14

IP Office Main Stand/ Stagecoach		Ticket Prices
Ticket Type	Advance	Gate
Adult	£22	£23
Senior	£19	£20
Student	£19	£20
Under-18	£9.50	£10
Wheelchair Area	£19	£20

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