📝 Match Preview: Port Vale (H)

City's final game of the season this Saturday

7 May 2022

Exeter City are potentially just one result away from lifting the League Two trophy as they face Port Vale at St James Park on the final day of the season.

Heading into the match, City top the league a point ahead of Forest Green Rovers and know that matching or bettering the Gloucestershire outfit's result will secure a first league title for the Grecians in 32 years. City's result may not even matter if Rovers are beaten by Mansfield Town, who are one of five clubs chasing third place on what is set to be a thrilling final day.

City drew 1-1 at Northampton on Saturday, while the Valiants have had two less days preparation following a 2-1 home defeat to Newport County.

Supporter Safety Information

Please be aware that St James Road will be closed to vehicle traffic between 1pm-6pm on Saturday for safety reasons.

Matt Taylor's Thoughts

City top the table by a point over Forest Green, so Taylor's men must match or better the Gloucestershire side's result - they face Mansfield away from home.

"We are in an joyous position of success in terms of promotion, you don't really know where to start with it, but we obviously have one more game to focus on," Matt said.

"We haven't spoken about winning league in the previous 45 games. It has snuck up on us as we were so focused on promotion. But now we find ourselves in a good position, and I feel we've gone under the radar while doing it.

"Somehow we've clawed back the deficit on Forest Green and we want to continue our good form this weekend."

Hear more from Matt 👇

Tickets

Tickets for this fixture are SOLD OUT and there are none available on the day. Port Vale have also sold their full allocation of 1,314 tickets.

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.

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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.

To purchase a match pass please click here.

For further details on iFollow, please click here
For a first time guide to iFollow, please click here

Exeter City on social media

Post Match Promotion Party

Make sure you stick around at SJP after the match for our post match party to celebrate an incredible season that sees the Grecians reach League One for the first time in a decade!

Due to the expected demand and the space in the fan zone, health and safety guidance says we have to restrict numbers meaning it will only be for ticket holders.

We are allowed a maximum of 399 in the Fan Zone and there will be stewards on each entrance and exit to manage the event, with a one in, one out policy when full.

In the Fan Zone after the match there will be live music from Stillyano, a superb international rock band from Exeter providing the ultimate tribute to classic stadium artists.

There will be plenty of food and drink available and don't forget we will be running the popular £3 a pint after the match on Carlsberg, Thatchers Gold and Tribute!

The mascots will be there to entertain the younger fans and who knows some of the players may even pop by!

And with the title still yet undecided it could be an extra special occasion...

Stadium Tours

If you want to join the FREE 11am Tour advance booking is required Stadium Tours - Exeter City FC. The tours start at 11.00am, meeting in the Fan Zone beside the Trust Office and provide a wonderful opportunity to go behind the scenes of your club on a match day when the ground is coming alive and visit the Museum.

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 the Fan Zone you will find the Kenniford Farm van serving local delicious hot food such as hog roasts and chips.

Match Reports

📝 Match Report: Exeter City 0 Port Vale 1

Our write-up of our last game in League Two

7 May 2022

Exeter City finished second in League Two after defeat to play-off hopefuls Port Vale.

James Wilson’s goal was enough to seal the game for the visitors, and Forest Green’s draw at Mansfield meant Rovers were crowned champions on goal difference.

City had few chances during the game but can finish the season with their heads held high, knowing they will be playing League One football next year.

Matt Taylor made a double switch from the draw at Northampton. Jake Caprice and Sam Stubbs returned to the side.

In a frantic start, Jevani Brown nearly put City ahead inside two minutes. A Josh Key delivery to the back post was nodded back by Tim Dieng and Jev’s deflected shot went wide.

Matt Jay pulled a shot wide on nine minutes as the Grecians settled into the game.

And the captain was denied a certain opener after quarter of an hour. Jake Caprice put the afterburners on down the left. A cut onto his right foot saw a delicious cross into the middle. MJ’s header was nestling into the corner had it not been from a top stop by Adam Stone.

Jake Caprice almost put City in the lead in freak fashion. Gorgeous interchange meant JC was able to cross. Stone was almost caught out but was relieved to just about tip the ball over.

Vale took the lead against the run of play on 35 minutes. A bouncing ball across the box was tapped back to the former Manchester United striker, who made no mistake in smashing the ball past Cam Dawson.

Cheick Diabate almost restored parity a minute before the break. A Jev Brown free-kick was met by the head of the centre-half only to go wide.

City made a sub at the start of the second period. Sam Stubbs was replaced by Jonathan Grounds.

Sam Nombe was introduced on 55 minutes and allowed Jev Brown to drop into midfield. It almost reaped dividends straight away, as Brown drove through the middle of the park and unleashed a trademark effort. A strong head from Connor Hall the only thing preventing a City equaliser.

News filtered in from elsewhere and City needed to find inspiration. Oz Zanzala forced hesitation in the Vale back line but saw his shot bounce wayward.

Cam Dawson was alert to a bouncing Wilson shot as emotion rung high around SJP. At the other end Caprice’s speculative effort fooled nobody. Both of them.

Wilson flashed one over as Vale looked for a second. Jonathan Grounds whipped a shot wide as four minutes were added.

Exeter City: Dawson, Key, Sweeney, Stubbs (Grounds 46’), Diabate, Caprice, Collins, Dieng, Jay (Nombe 55’), Brown, Zanzala (Amond 70’)

Subs: S. Brown, Sparkes, Kite, Coley

Port Vale: Stone, Gibbons, Hall, Smith, Garrity, Wilson (Harratt 90’), Proctor, Hussey (Benning 27’), Martin, Pett, Edmondson (Taylor 62’)

Subs: Covolan, Worral, Amoo, Robinson,

Referee: Tom Reeves

Attendance: 8,147 (1,314 away)