📝 Match Preview: Ipswich Town (H)

18 November 2022

The Sky Sports cameras are in EX4 this weekend as Ipswich Town make the long trip to the south-west for a 12pm kick off.

Ninth meet second at SJP as Gary Caldwell's men welcome Kieran McKenna's side looking to build on last weekend's stunning late win over Peterborough United, while Ipswich will be keen to pick up another win after being frustrated by Cheltenham Town in a 1-1 draw at Portman Road.

This will be the first league meeting between the two sides since April 1957 in the old Division Three South, though we have met five times in the EFL Cup and Efl Trophy since then, most recently in January 2020.

Gary Caldwell's Thoughts

Gary Caldwell has given his pre-match thoughts as the Grecians welcome Ipswich Town to St James Park, live in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The high-flying Tractor Boys head to Devon second in the table, but Gary believes City have what it takes to get a result against Kieran McKenna's men.

"On paper we have got a very difficult game, but that's on paper and last weekend we proved we can compete with these teams," he said.

"We have to be 100% right in and out of possession, as Ipswich will pose as good as, or an even more difficult a task as Peterborough did on Saturday, so we have to be prepared and be ready to play our way.

"[being on TV] allows not only our own supporters but the wider audience that we are a club on the up and one that plays an attractive brand of football, so it's a great opportunity for us to show oursevles off in a positive way."

Hear more from Gary 👇

Tickets

Saturday's match against Ipswich Town is now sold out!

All the remaining tickets were snapped up last night! Thank you for your support.

Don't forget if you didn't get a ticket that the match is live on Sky Sports on Saturday!

Matchday Family Fun

A trip to the football is a special family treat and at St James Park there is plenty on offer pre-matched to keep the whole family entertained and to make sure your St James Park experience is extra special.

For full details of all the activities happening at SJP this Saturday, click here.

Previous Encounter

Exeter City 2 Ipswich Town 1 | 04/01/20 | EFL Trophy

Exeter City reached the last eight of the Leasing.com Trophy as Lee Martin's stoppage-time winner knocked out Ipswich. Nicky Ajose opened the scoring before Will Keane levelled, before Martin's winner.

How To Follow

Although the match has been selected for Sky Sports & Pitch International coverage, you are still able to stream this fixture in all international territories (but not the UK). Audio only in the UK.

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By purchasing a match pass you'll get access to the stream which includes BBC Radio Devon commentary, score overlay and replays.

To purchase a match pass please click here.

Exeter City on social media

The Key Timings

Centre Spot Bar

The Centre Spot Bar will be open from 10am and will be showing the day's early and late kick offs ooffsn their selection of TV screens. After the match, draft pints of Tribute, Carlsberg and Thatchers are on offer for just £3 a 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.

Centre Spot is open to match ticket holders only. We will not be showing the game.

Junior Grecians Zone

The Junior Grecians Zone is open to members from 10am and open to all from 10.30am, 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 10am - 3pm 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

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. CONTACTLESS CARD PAYMENT NOW AVAILABLE!

Hot Food

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

Matchday Programme

Our award winning programme returns for the 22/23 season and is priced at just £3 per copy! The programme features lots of content on the men's team, including a new feature on the cover star's all-time five-a-side team!

Make sure you grab a copy from around the ground!

Match Reports

Match Report: City 0 Ipswich Town 2

City lose at home to Ipswich Town

19 November 2022

City suffered a first home defeat under Gary Caldwell as a strong Ipswich Town side recorded a 2-0 victory.

A goal in each half from Freddie Ladapo and Marcus Harness ensured the Tractor Boys travelled back to Suffolk withg three points, with City off thr boil against one of the league favourites.

After last games amazing comeback victory over Peterborough United, Gary made only the one change with Harry Kite coming in to replace Matt Jay, with ten academy graduates named in the squad.

It was a slow start from the Grecians as Ipswich as the away side grabbed control of the early pace, as they forced an absolutely outrageous save from Jamal Blackman. A point-blank shot from Marcus Harness was denied by City's man between the posts. While he stopped that one, there was little he could do just a minute later as Harness's ball found Ladapo at close range to give Ipswich the lead.

After the goal, Ipswich were starting to put a lot of pressure on The Grecians back line, with at some points City having all eleven players behind the ball. Eventually, they got the ball away from their own penalty area and had their first chance of the game. Marauding wing back Jake Caprice did a couple of his trademark step overs down the right-hand side and whipped a ball into the box only for Ipswich to head it behind for a corner. The resulting corner from Jevani Brown found Pierce Sweeney at the back post who at the second attempt found Alex Hartridge on the spin but his shot on target was put behind the post by Christian Walton.

After another quiet opening ten minutes of the second half, it was The Tractor Boys who had the first proper effort on goal, and it was Wes Burns who found space on the edge of the area. Blackman was able to match the effort with another fantastic save to tip the ball over the bar. Seconds later and it was another unbelievable save from Blackman, just about keeping The Grecians in the game, and it was Ladapo the goal scorer going close once again.

With just over 67 minutes played Ipswich grabbed their second goal of the game, this time it was Marcus Harness getting on the scoresheet following his first half assist. A Leif Davis corner found the unmarked head of Harness who was able to nod the ball past Blackman.

With all to play for in the final moments, City went all out on the attack but with the chances on goal, City were unable to get back into the game.

The next game for City is an all League One FA Cup clash away to Oxford United on Saturday November 26^th.

Exeter City: Blackman, Caprice, Key (Diabate), Sweeney ©, Hartridge, Sparkes (Jay), Dieng, Collins, Kite (Nombe), Brown, Stansfield

Subs not used: Lee, Grounds, Beardmore, Chauke

Ipswich Town: Walton, Donacien, Woolfenden, Burgess, Burns (Jackson), Humphreys, Morsy ©, Davis (Vincent-Young), Chaplin (Edwards), Harness, Ladapo (Ahadme)

Subs not used: Hladky, Edmunson, Camara,

Referee: Alan Young

Attendance: 7232 (1208 away)