📝Match Preview: Bristol Rovers (H)

Papa John's action at the Park

10 November 2021

Exeter City's first of four home games in ten days takes place this Wednesday as we face West Country rivals Bristol Rovers in our final Papa John's Trophy group stage match.

What's at Stake

With Chelsea and Cheltenham Town having already completed their fixtures, it is between City and the Gas for the second qualification spot in Group E.

A win for the Grecians, whether that be over 90 minutes or on penalties, will secure at least second place. Should Rovers win outright or on penalties, they would qualify.

Padraig Amond's Thoughts

Padraig Amond wants to share his experience of reaching a Wembley final as City look to qualify from the group stage of the Papa John's Trophy.

"Of course we want to progress," the striker has said prior to Wednesday night's clash with the Pirates.

"If you get through, you're only four games from Wembley and you want to be involved with big games like that. So it's an opportunity for that, but for now more importantly it's a chance for the young players to get minutes and stake a claim for their place in the team."

The 33-year-old is relishing the chance of mentoring some of the younger players in the squad.

"I'm really enjoying it at the moment. It is a young squad but the best thing is when they ask you questions, they're really good at listening, taking the advice on board and then putting it into practice."

Check out all Podge had to say below👇

Tickets

The IP Office Main Stand will be open for the match, with tickets unreserved.

Ticket prices have been slashed for the match, with under-18s able to attend for just £1

Tickets are priced at:

Adults: £5
Senior/18-23: £3
Under-18s: £1

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.

Previous Encounter

Exeter City 4 Bristol Rovers 1 | 21/08/21 | Sky Bet League Two

It was an unforgettable afternoon at the Park as the Grecians scored four times inside the opening 25 minutes to demolish Joey Barton's side. Matt Jay (2), Tim Dieng and Harry Kite were all on the scoresheet before Sam Finley pulled one back late on for the Gas.

Bristol Rovers Last Match

Oxford United 2 Bristol Rovers 2 | 07/11/21 | Emirates FA Cup

The Gas came from behind twice to earn an FA Cup replay against League One side Oxford United.

Match Reports

📝 Match Report: City 5 Bristol Rovers 3 (Papa John's Trophy)

City qualify for the knock-out stages in a goal fest at SJP

10 November 2021

Exeter City qualified for the second round of the Papa John’s Trophy with a entertaining 5-3 win over Bristol Rovers at St James Park.

The Grecians stormed into a three-goal lead after twelve minutes with Josh Coley, Tim Dieng and Padraig Amond netting, before Coley and Amond doubled their tallies before half-time. In the second-half, Zain Westbrooke, Ryan Jones and Nick Anderton scored for the Gas.

The Grecians came into their final group game, knowing that a win, either outright in 90 minutes, or on penalties, would see them progress to the knock-out stages of the competition.

Manager Matt Taylor almost named a completely changed starting eleven from Saturday’s draw against Bradford City in the Emirates FA Cup.

The most notable name on the team sheet was defender Sam Stubbs who would be making his first start for the Grecians since joining in the January transfer window. Sam has had torrid luck with his rehab from his knee injury and had been working tirelessly for this moment.

Jack Sparkes was another notable name that made his first start since suffering injury at Leyton Orient back in August.

City got off to the perfect start and were ahead after just one minute after fantastic interchange between Amond and Taylor saw the ball ricochet into the path of Josh Coley who fired home for his first professional goal for the club.

One quickly became two as the Grecians early dominance saw Tim Dieng hit one from 20 yards which looped over Ward in the Rovers net for his fifth goal of the season – a career best scoring season already for the French midfielder.

City continued to dominate and were three up after just twelve minutes as Josh Coley played a neat ball to the overlapping Caprice, his cross was powered home by Padraig Amond for his first Grecian goal.

The Pirates managed to steady the ship after a tough start and had a chance to reduce the deficit after twenty as Walker found himself one-on-one with Harry Lee. City’s young shot stopper produced a great double stop.

City’s complete dominance turned into a fourth goal on thirty-eight as some beautiful play again down the left between Coley and Caprice saw Caprice send an inch-perfect pass to Amond on the edge of the box who drilled home to double his personal tally.

Just before the break City would make it five and Josh Coley would grab his second of the night, racing through from the halfway line unopposed to slot home.

The Grecians made one change at half-time with Pierce Sweeney replacing Sam Stubbs, who completed his planned forty-five-minute appearance.

City started the second half on the front foot and continued their high tempo passing which created a chance for Amond to seal a hattrick, but strong defending saw a Rovers defender nip back to steal the ball.

The Grecians had taken the foot off the gas which allowed Rovers to pull one back on the hour mark as Zain Westbrook controlled the ball on the edge of the box and sent a lovely strike past Harry Lee and into the bottom corner.

One would soon become two as Ryan Jones picked up the ball on the edge of the box and sent a low drilled shot into the bottom corner.

City looked to add a sixth on 75 as Harry Kite picked the ball up on the halfway line, turned and sent a ball through for Edwards, he breezed past his defender and crossed for Amond to nod the ball down into the six-yard box but Rovers cleared.

Amond would again go close to getting the hattrick his play deserved as he was found at the back post, but his half-volley just whistled over the bar.

Rovers would make sure it was a nervy ending as Nick Anderton scored from close range on 87 minutes, but City held on to secure qualification.

The draw for the second round takes place this Saturday around 2pm live on Sky Sports.

Exeter City’s attentions return to EFL Sky Bet League Two this Saturday with a 3pm kick-off against Oldham Athletic.

Exeter City XI | Lee; Caprice. Grounds, Stubbs (Sweeney, 45), Sparkes; Dieng, Taylor (Cox, 52), Kite; Edwards Coley (Daniel, 68), Amond

Subs: S. Brown, Key, J.Brown, Seymour

Bristol Rovers XI | Ward; Westbrooke, Collins, Hargreaves, Anderton, Martinez, Spence, Walker, Hoole, Jones, Mbuenimo

Subs: Belshaw, Anderson, Finley, Harries, Evans, Kilgour, Nicholson

Attendance: 1479 (64 Away)

Ticket News

🎟 UP NEXT AT SJP: City face Bristol Rovers in Papa John's Trophy on Wednesday

Back the Grecians for bargain prices!

8 November 2021

The Grecians are next in action at St James Park on Wednesday, November 10 in a 7pm kick-off against Bristol Rovers in the Papa John's Trophy.

The match was originally scheduled for Tuesday 9 November, however this has been moved to accomodate Bristol Rovers' Emirates FA Cup first round tie with Oxford which takes place on Sunday November 7 on police request.

Anyone who has already purchased tickets and cannot make the revised date is advised to contact the ticket office on 01392 413952 or tickets@ecfc.co.uk.

City's penalty shootout win over Cheltenham Town in their last match means the group is tight, but a win would see the Grecians qualify for the next stage either over 90 minutes or with a draw and penalty shootout win.

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