📝 Match Preview: Scunthorpe United (H)

Back in home league action this Saturday

15 January 2022

Exeter City return to home league action for the first time in over a month when they host Scunthorpe United on Saturday.

The Grecians were beaten 3-2 by Portsmouth at SJP last Friday in the Papa John's Trophy, but haven't played on home turf in the league since Tranmere Rovers visited on December 11.

Their last league outing was a 0-0 draw at table-topping Forest Green Rovers, while Scunthorpe were beaten 4-0 by Tranmere at Prenton Park last weekend.

The Iron currently sit 23rd in the league table with 19 points, but have only lost one of their last four away from home, winning at Oldham and drawing at Hartlepool and Stevenage in the last month.

Matt Taylor's Thoughts

Following a mixed start to 2022, the Grecians will be looking to pick up their first win of the year against a struggling Scunthorpe side, but the manager has warned that the 23rd placed Iron will still offer a threat to his players.

"The manager has gone in there and improved them," Matt said.

"In terms of that nine game run he's had, they've drawn a lot of games but been close to winning them, and I watched them at Tranmere last week and thought they were unlucky.

"We know how much experience their manager has got and they've got some good players in their squad. They will be looking to add players in this window as well as they aren't far away from putting a good run together."

Hear more from Matt 👇

Tickets

By buying tickets in advance you can save money and avoid the queues on match day.

E-tickets

E-tickets are the easiest and quickest way to buy tickets for City matches. On ordering you can select to receive an e-ticket which will be emailed to your phone for you to show on the turnstile - no need to print!

Admission prices

Big Bank			IP Office/Stagecoach
Ticket Type	Advance	Gate	Ticket Type	Advance	Gate
Adult	£19	£20	Adult	£25	£26
Senior	£16	£17	Senior	£22	£23
Young Adult 18-23	£16	£17	Young Adult 18-23	£22	£23
Under-18	£7	£8	Under-18	£12	£13
Wheelchair Area	£16	£17	Wheelchair Area	£22	£23
Junior Grecians		---	Junior Grecians		---

How to Buy

To purchase tickets online, please click here. Please note that you will need to log in to purchase.

You can also call the club during the normal office hours on 01392 411243 or visit the club shop and reception in person between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. We ask that you please buy online where possible.

Junior Grecians Tickets

Junior Grecians members get access to free match tickets when purchased alongside a paying adult. There are three family friendly areas available at St James Park, section E in the IP Office Main Stand, in Block A of the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand, and a section of the Thatchers Big Bank which is identified by the white barriers).

How to buy

To book Junior Grecians tickets, please make sure you are logged in first. Then select an Adult and either one or two Junior Grecian tickets to the basket. The system will validate you and change the Junior Grecians tickets to free.

Please note that this will not work if under-18 tickets are added, or tickets are selected in non-family areas. If you experience any issues, please email tickets@ecfc.co.uk who can help.

Tickets are limited and it is advisable to book early. Click here to find out more about the Junior Grecians.

How To Follow

Live audio commentary of the match is available in the UK on iFollow, those overseas are able to tune in to a live stream. Click here to purchase.

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You can keep up to date with all the action by following us on social media. After the match we will bring you reaction from manager Matt Taylor and a player.

Match Day Guide

Many things may have changed since your last visit to SJP, or this could be your first ever visit to us, so please take time to familiarise yourself with our new match day guide, which highlights everything you need to know for your return to the ground.

Important COVID Guidance

Whilst we are back to normal at SJP, please be aware that some spectators may not be as comfortable as others about attending matches. Please take time to familar yourself with the club's, and government's, Covid guidelines to ensure we keep each safe at St James Park.

The Key Timings

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Centre Spot Bar

The Centre Spot Bar will be open from 11am and will be showing the day's early and late kick offs on their selection of TV screens. After the match, draft pints of Tribute, Carlsberg and Thatchers are on offer for just £3 per pint.

The Centre Spot is also home to The Famous Exeter City Real Ale and Cider Emporium, offering a great selection of real ales and ciders.

Junior Grecians Zone

The Junior Grecians Zone is open to members from 12.30pm and open to all from 1.30pm, with plenty of activities for all our young Grecian supporters.

In Red Square, the bar and Kenniford Farm's van will also be open for refreshments and hot food.

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Club Shop

The club shop is open from 12pm to 5pm on matchdays and is stocked with all three of City's kits for the 21/22 season as well as a range of training gear and pocket money items.

Don't forget, Supporters' Trust members save 10% on full prices purchases!

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Jungle Path Kiosk

From Saturday, the kiosk on the Jungle Path will be selling pints of Thatchers Big Apple, cans of Thatchers Gold and bottle of Carlsberg, as well as all the usual half time snacks including pies, pasties and beverages.

Food and Drink

One of the most important part of any match day! We have a wide range of hot and cold drinks and snacks available at the kiosk for away fans.

Hot Food

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In Red Square you will find the Kenniford Farm van serving local delicious hot food such as hog roasts and chips

Scunthorpe's Last Match

Tranmere Rovers 4 Scunthorpe 0 | 08/01/21 | Sky Bet League Two

Scunthorpe suffered defeat on their last away trip as they were beaten on the Wirral.

Previous Encounter

Scunthorpe 0 Exeter City 4 | 11/09/21 | Sky Bet League Two

Matt Jay's brace plus goals from Josh Key and Tim Dieng secured three points in City's biggest win of the season so far.

Match Reports

📝 Match Report: City 2 Scunthorpe United 0

City back to winning ways

15 January 2022

Exeter City claimed their first three points of 2022 with a 2-0 win over strugglers Scunthorpe United at St James Park.

Goals for Jevani Brown and Offrande Zanzala were enough for Matt Taylor’s side to move within one point and one place of the League Two Play-Off places.

Manager Matt Taylor made four changes to the side that last played in the EFL Trophy as Josh Key, Tim Dieng, Cheick Diabate and debutant Zanzala all came into the side.

Striker Zanzala made his Exeter City debut since signing from League Two counterpart Barrow on loan until the end of the season, and Pierce Sweeney made his first league appearance since late December.

City started with great intent and pinned their opponents back with a host of half-chances.

Several minutes later after some nice interplay from the home side Archie Collins picked out Key down the right-hand side in space, he fizzed in a low cross that found Diengm who was only able to put his powered shot effort agonisingly wide of the post. This was the best chance for the home side in the opening 45 minutes.

Jake Caprice drove at Matheson all game, causing problems for the young defender, speeding past his man to win a free-kick on the edge of the box on the left. Jevani Brown delivered a delicious, lofted ball which was cleared for a corner as Exeter applied real pressure.

Scunthorpe grew into the game and started to counterpunch Exeter’s dominance in the game with several set-pieces. The visiting side had a free kick which found Manny Onariase unmarked in the City penalty area which he got a touch to, but couldn't divert towards goal.

Caprice continued to cause havoc down the left, as he tormented Matheson. He cut inside but could only put his curling effort over the bar.

Josh Key was causing problems down the other flank as he delivered a ball out wide which was worked well. The ball bounced around in the penalty area before new man Zanzala volleyed over from 15-yards.

Exeter then had another free kick close to goal out wide which was played shot to captain Matt Jay who powered a right footed effort wide of the post.

Caprice charged down the left flank again as the half was ending and skipped pasted several Scunthorpe players. The left back advanced into the box and went down under some pressure but nothing was given.

The sides went into the break all square after a goalless first half after only a hand full of chances. The Grecians were on top but were unable to trouble Scunthorpe goalkeeper Rory Watson.

Into the second half and Brown won the ball in middle of the park and sent Zanzala one-on-one with a defender. He shimmed his body and slipped past the defender, cut inside and forced the first save of the game early in the second period. Exeter starting the second half as the started the first, with real intent of breaking the deadlock.

Scunthorpe threatened Cameron Dawson’s goal for the first time as the away side played some nice football. Mason O’Malley teased a ball into the City area which was met well by Aaron Jarvis who put his volley over the top from just eight yards out.

City yet again had a free kick in a dangerous position and almost took advantage of it as Dieng met Archie Collins free kick which he headed down and pulled out a great save from Watson.

After Key drove at the heart of Scunthorpe’s defence they didn’t clear their lines and the ball came to Dieng who played a quick ball to Brown. Brown spun and whipped an incredible left footed shot which was pin perfect as it nestled into the top left corner of the goal. It was going to take something special to break the away side’s resistance and that is exactly what the midfielder did with that goal in the 64th minute.

Scunthorpe didn’t stop battling though as the applied pressure on the Exeter goal. Myles Hippolyte's drive from 25-yards out just sailing over the bar.

Exeter’s relentless pressure was too much for Scunthorpe as the returning Sweeney delivered a cross from out wide which Key headed towards goal and forced Watson into an outstanding fingertip save. However, he couldn’t do enough to clear the danger as debutant Zanzala made an instant impact at the club as poked in from close range in the 76th minute to double Exeter’s lead and get his first goal in red and white.

Several minutes later he could have scored again but his looping effort went over the bar just before being replaced by Padraig Amond.

Dieng was pinned in the corner and played a delightful back heel to Caprice who drove into the penalty area and saw his low effort saved.

The influential Key could only watch on as his long range effort fly over the Big Bank in the dying minutes of the game before six minutes of additional time was given and the whistle would blow for the Grecians first three points of 2022.

Exeter City are next in action next Saturday when we travel to Walsall.

City XI: Dawson, Key, Sweeney, Stubbs, Diabate, Caprice, Dieng, Collins, Jay, J.Brown (Sparkes), Zanzala (Amond).

Subs not used: S.Brown, Ray, Kite, Taylor, Coley.

Attendance: 4678 (78 away)

Ticket News

🎟 Tickets and Hospitality: Hartlepool United

Back the boys in our next league game at SJP

26 January 2022

The Grecians are next in League action at St James Park in a 3pm kick-off against Hartlepool United on Saturday, January 29.

By buying tickets in advance you can save money and avoid the queues on match day.

E-tickets

Admission prices

Big Bank			Nevada Construction/Optimising IT
Ticket Type	Advance	Gate	Ticket Type	Advance	Gate
Adult	£20	£22	Adult	£27	£28
Senior	£17	£19	Senior	£24	£25
Young Adult 18-23	£17	£19	Young Adult 18-23	£24	£25
Under-18	£8	£10	Under-18	£13	£14
Wheelchair Area	£17	£19	Wheelchair Area	£24	£25
Junior Grecians		---	Junior Grecians		---

How to Buy

To purchase tickets online, please click here. Please note that you will need to log in to purchase.

Junior Grecians Tickets

How to buy

Please note that this will not work if under-18 tickets are added, or tickets are selected in non-family areas. If you experience any issues, please email tickets@ecfc.co.uk who can help.

Tickets are limited and it is advisable to book early. Click here to find out more about the Junior Grecians.

Matchday Hospitality

Fancy watching City in style? Either for corporate or personal use, our matchday hospitality is one of the best ways to enjoy the ECFC matchday experience.

Our fantastic package for the 2021/22 season includes:

Use of Paramount Personnel VIP match day entrance.
Reserved seat in the IP Office Main Stand.
Reserved table in the Supporters’ Trust Suite (Individual group tables).
2-course meal with half-time teas and coffees. (See below for menus).
Table service bar.
Matchday programme and team sheet.
Pre-match interview with a current or former player.
View the post-match Man of the Match presentation (this is not guaranteed if the Club’s Covid player protocols in place at the time prevent this happening)
Large screen TV showing Sky/BT Sports.
Raffle entry for Signed Ball.

The Price

Adult £54
Child £36

Supporters’ Trust Members

Adult £49
Child £36

All matchday hospitality prices are inclusive of VAT.

The Menu

Saturday, January 29: Hartlepool United
Bar Open 12noon, Welcome 12:45pm, Food Served 1pm

Duck breast – Pressed leg – Glazed Turnip – red cabbage – Buckthorn puree – Cranberry Gastrique, or
Beetroot and wild mushroom Tart Tatin – rosemary cream

Desert

Apple cheesecake – Ginger crumb