📝 Match Preview: Forest Green Rovers vs City

All you need to know ahead of Wednesday's match

30 December 2019

Exeter City kick-off 2020 with a short trip to face Forest Green Rovers in a 3pm kick-off at the New Lawn.

The Grecians come into the match in fine form, and are now 7 matches unbeaten in the League thanks to Saturday's 2-2 draw at Colchester. City sit second in the league just two points behind leaders Swindon Town.

Ahead of the match, Ryan Bowman, who scored the only goal when the two sides met at St James Park earlier in the season said: "They are in good form but we don't want to concentrate on them too much. We know what to expect having played them a couple months ago."

TICKETS

Tickets can now only be purchased on the day at the New Lawn.

Ticket prices are as follows:

West Stand Uncovered Standing (available online/in person)

Adult: £18
65+: £14
Under-21: £9
Under-16: £6
Under-11: FOC with paying adult

West Stand Seated (in-person only)

Adults: £23
65+: £18
Under21: £12
Under-16: £8
Under-11: FOC with paying adult

West Stand Covered Standing (in-person only)

Adult: £20
65+: £16
Under-21: £10
Under-16: £7
Under-11: FOC with paying adult

Further details

Advance Discounts? No.
Ambulant: Pay age related price and carer free
Wheelchair: Pay age related price and carer free. These are located in the East Stand and available by calling or visiting the club.
Matchday Purchase available? YES, card payment preferred

WATCH ON IFOLLOW

Unable to make it to the New Lawn on Wednesday as City take on Forest Green Rovers? Don't worry! We've got you covered!

You can purchase a match pass on iFollow in both the UK and overseas at the cost of just £10. The stream includes the live BBC Radio Devon commentary, score overlay and replays.

To purchase a match pass please click here.

MATCH DAY COVERAGE

As usual, we’ll have the match covered across our social media channels and we’ll have a post-match interview with manager Matt Taylor as he reflects on the result. You can also tune into BBC Radio Devon to listen to commentary as well.

Exeter City on social media

THE CONTEXT

City come into the match in fine form, unbeaten in their last seven league matches and sit second in the League, just two points behind leaders Swindon Town.

Forest Green Rovers come into the match in fifth place having picked up 40 points from 24 matches so far this season and will have eyes on moving into the automatic promotion places.

FGR Stats.jpg

LAST MATCH

Forest Green Rovers 1 Macclesfield Town 0 | 29/12/19 | EFL Sky Bet League Two

Farrend Rawson's second-half header ended Forest Green's seven-game winless run as they beat Macclesfield 1-0 in League Two.

PREVIOUS ENCOUNTER

Exeter City 1 Forest Green Rovers 0 | 12/10/19 | EFL Sky Bet League Two

A first-half strike from Ryan Bowman proved the difference as Exeter City beat Forest Green Rovers 1-0 at St James Park back in October.

STADIUM

THE NEW LAWN (GL6 0ET)

The New Lawn is situated on the western edge of the picturesque Cotswold town of Nailsworth. The ground has a capacity of 4,803.

GRECIAN TRAVEL

The coach will depart from Unit 1 nightclub at 10:30am for a fare of £22.

Other pick-up points include: Honiton Road park and ride (by Miller and Carter Steakhouse), junction 28 (Cullompton services). Junction 27 (Tiverton), junction 25 (Taunton.) All other pick-ups by prior arrangement.

For more information or to book please contact Chris Woolcott on 01392 250250 or John Bishop on 07904036334 or by email at: john.bishop760@btinternet.com (after 6pm).

Alternatively, drop into reception at St James Park to book.

BY ROAD

To get to the New Lawn from Exeter you have to take the M5 to junction 13, where you exit the motorway onto the A419 towards Stroud. Go straight over three roundabouts and, after joining the A46, follow signs to Bath and Nailsworth. When you get to Nailsworth town centre, turn right at the mini roundabout into Spring Hill. Go over one roundabout and then turn left at the second roundabout into The New Lawn.

PARKING

Parking is available at the neighbouring school, within easy walking distance (90m) from the stadium, at £5 per vehicle (card only) but spaces are limited and it is a first-come, first-serve basis.

If you choose to park in the local residential area, please park with consideration for our neighbours and adhere to local parking enforcement. Please be aware that Parking Enforcement Officers patrol the area on a matchday.

Parking at the stadium is reserved for pre-booked guests only (hospitality and Blue Badge holders).

PARK AND RIDE

The Park and Ride system that is normally in place for our trip to the New Lawn is not in operation this season as our fixture falls on New Year's Day.

BY RAIL

You can catch the 10.54am train on New Year's Day, that changes at Cheltenham Spa, to get into Stroud 1.28pm. Stroud is the nearest station to the New Lawn and from Merrywalks Shopping Centre, a short walk from the train stations, you can catch the number 63 bus and this takes around half an hour to get to the stadium.

You can view the full route on the Stagecoach website.

PUBS/FOOD

The away bar is open three hours before kick off on matchdays, serving a selection of vegan beers and ciders, vegan hot drinks, and a selection of vegan snacks. The George Inn (GL6 ORF), about 15 minutes walk from the ground, is another option for pre-match drinks.

AWAY FANS GUIDE

Click here for a comprehensive guide to visiting the New Lawn from Forest Green Rovers.

🎟 PLACE YOUR TRUST IN CITY 🎟

Season tickets for the 20/21 campaign are now on sale and play a huge part in enabling your club remains financially stable and well prepared

By purchasing a season ticket in the super saver period, you will not only make huge and the best savings on admission for the campaign, but enable the club to operate fully whilst we have a period of no matches and minimal income. Find out more by clicking here.

Match Reports

📝 Report: Forest Green Rovers 0 Exeter City 1

Ten man Grecians battle to hard-earned point against Forest Green Rovers

1 January 2020

Exeter City’s earned a valuable three points at Forest Green Rovers despite being reduced to 10 men for the majority of the second half.

The Grecians, who took the lead after four minutes through Nigel Atangana, had their goalscorer sent-off for a straight red card a minute into the second half and then had to withstand 18 shots at their goal, including one penalty, to earn a victory.

Matt Taylor made three changes to the side that had drawn with Colchester United last time out as Nicky Law, Nigel Atangana and Ryan Bowman came back into the side.

And it was one of those returning players that got City off to a winning start. First off it was good work from Bowman and Lee Martin to win a ball on the edge of the box and work it to Law and when he rolled a pass into the path of Atangana he found the bottom corner with an expertly placed side foot finish. The game was only four minutes old at that point and City could have extended their lead a couple of minutes later when Law got hold of the ball in the box, jinked past a challenge and then hit and effort that the keeper deflected onto his crossbar.

The Grecians territory and threat continued for the remainder of the first half, but Forest Green Rovers had a couple of chances on the break. The first saw Jonny Maxted called into action to palm a Liam Shephard cross out of his six-yard area and then he had to be equally adept to turn a Junior Mundal half volley around his post.

City also had a Law free-kick that was chipped into the six-yard box, only for a Forest Green defender to head behind, but in truth a lot of the first half – after a bright opening – was played in between the two 18-yard boxes.

In the second half it was a totally different story though. Atangana was harshly shown a red card a minute after the restart for a challenge on Kevin Dawson and from that moment on it was a resolute performance from the Grecians as they withstood waves and waves of pressure from the hosts.

First Jayden Richardson had to brave block a Liam Shephard shot on the edge of the box and then came another big moment in the match as Jack Aitchison went down in the area, despite minimal contact from Tom Parkes, and referee Lee Swabey pointed to the spot. Shephard stepped up to take it but Maxted gussed the right way and pushed the ball around his post.

Mondal then blazed over when well placed in the box before Maxted dive full length to parry a long-distance strike from Carl Winchester. However, the save of the match came on 67 minutes as Mondal, eight yards out, met a low cross from the left well and it appeared to be heading for the corner of the net only for Maxted to get a strong hand to the ball and turn his effort behind for a corner.

At that point, there was a sense that it was just going to be City’s day and back by a 700-plus away following, who lifted by the players’ second-half endeavour, tried to cheer the boys over the line.

There was still work to be done though, and Nicky Law, Randell Williams and Ryan Bowman all did well to relieve the pressure on the defence with surging runs forward. Archie Collins also won the ball back in midfield well in the closing 10 minutes and bulldozed his way into the box before going down under challenge from Adam Smith. Again, contact appeared to be minimal but this time the referee was not interested in awarding a spot kick and booked the young City captain for diving.

After that though City only had to survive one more scare as Mondal, well placed in the box once more, found the side netting two minutes from time.

Forest Green Rovers: Smith, Shephard, Mills (Frear, 45), Rawson, Winchester, Stevens (Aitchison, 45), Adams, Dawson (Colvil, 81), McGinley, Kitching, Mondal. Subs not used: Thomas, Bernard, Morton, Godwin-Malife.

Booked: Mills, Kitching, Shephard

Exeter City: Maxted, Sweeney, Atangana, A Martin, L Martin (Taylor, 58), Law (Tillson, 88), Williams, Bowman, Parkes, Richardson, Collins. Subs not used: Ward, Tillson, Ajose, Warren, Jay, Taylor, Seymour.

Booked: Williams, Collins

Red: Atangana

Ticket News

🎟 AWAY TICKETS: Forest Green Rovers (1/1/20)

Ticket news for City's trip to the New Lawn

2 December 2019

Tickets are now on sale for City's trip to the New Lawn to face Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday, January 1 2020 in a 3pm kick-off.

Forest Green Rovers have requested that tickets in the covered areas (both seating and standing) are only sold to supporters buying family tickets (i.e. an adult/senior plus child) or seniors. Adult only orders, or under-21 only orders cannot be accommodated in these sections.

Online sales are restricted to uncovered standing only, and anyone wishing to buy a covered seat or covered standing position must visit the club or call the ticket line on 01392 411 243.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking here. Tickets can also be purchased from the club shop until midday on Friday, December 27.

Ticket prices are as follows:

West Stand Uncovered Standing (available online/in person)

Adult: £18
65+: £14
Under-21: £9
Under-16: £6
Under-11: FOC with paying adult

West Stand Seated (in-person only)

Adults: £23
65+: £18
Under21: £12
Under-16: £8
Under-11: FOC with paying adult

West Stand Covered Standing (in-person only)

Adult: £20
65+: £16
Under-21: £10
Under-16: £7
Under-11: FOC with paying adult

Further details

Advance Discounts? No.
Ambulant: Pay age related price and carer free
Wheelchair: Pay age related price and carer free. These are located in the East Stand and available by calling or visiting the club.
Matchday Purchase available? YES, card payment preferred

Grecian Travel

The coach will depart from Unit 1 nightclub at 10:30am for a fare of £22.

Please click here to find out more.

Exeter City FC

Standings