A preview of what's in store this weekend
EXETER CITY travel to Somerset on Saturday to take on West Country neighbours Yeovil Town.City currently sit just two points off a play-off position after last weekend’s Devon derby success. A win at Huish Park would keep the momentum going in the Grecians’ favour, and with only six games left this season, there's a lot left to play for.
Both sides are in good form of late, and the Glovers are enjoying somewhat of a revival after a shaky first few months of the season.
We take a closer look at this week’s opposition:
Form This Season
After back-to-back relegations from the Championship and League 1, Yeovil Town endured a tough start to life back in Sky Bet League 2, winning only two of their opening ten league matches.
A good run in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy was followed by a narrow defeat to Carlisle United on in the Second Round of the FA Cup. A penalty shoot-out at Huish Park was all that separated the sides, meaning the Glovers missed out on a home tie to Premier League giants Everton in the third round.
Town’s form since the turn of the year has seen them pull away from the relegation zone, and they have only lost three times in 2016.
League Position
Yeovil currently sit in nineteenth place, fourteen points clear of the relegation zone. Victory over the Grecians on Saturday, coupled with defeats for York City and Dagenham & Redbridge, would all but assure the Glovers’ Football League status for another season.
Stadium
Huish Park is home to Yeovil Town and can hold over nine thousand fans.
Away Supporters are housed in the open away end of the ground, which is a standing area only. There is also the provision of a seated area in the away end of the Screwfix Stand.
Who’s In Charge
Darren Way took over from Paul Sturrock as interim manager on 1st December 2015, and was later appointed as full-time manager on New Year’s Eve.
Way made nearly 250 career appearances whilst playing for both the Glovers and Swansea City, before an injury sustained in a car accident forced him to retire from playing.
Town’s excellent recent form has resulted in Way being nominated alongside City manager Paul Tisdale for March’s PFA Manager of the Month award. It was announced that he has been awarded with a new three-year contract today.
Marksman
Striker Ryan Bird tops the scoring chart for the Glovers this season with eight goals.
Six-foot-four Bird was brought to Huish Park in the summer of 2015 by Paul Sturrock, following spells at Cambridge United, Hartlepool United and Portsmouth.
Player Connections
Both Exeter City and Yeovil Town were represented by the late Adam Stansfield, and fans of both teams still sing his name today. Stanno would leave the Glovers for Hereford United before arriving at St James Park, where he would achieve legendary status for the part he played in taking City from the Conference to League One. Both clubs paid tribute to Stanno during the first game of the season back in August.
City fans will also recognize goalkeeper Artur Krysiak in the Yeovil squad. Krysiak enjoyed a four-year spell with the Grecians, before moving to Huish Park in 2014.
Past Meetings
The two sides met at St James Park on the opening day of the season, with the Grecians recording a 3-2 win. After goals from Tom Nichols and David Wheeler had given City a 2-0 lead at half-time, Yeovil managed to level it up through Harry Cornick and a Matt Dolan penalty. But City would take all three points after Will Hoskins struck the winner late on.
Recent Results
Stevenage 0-0 Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town 1-0 Newport County
Yeovil Town 0-0 Carlisle United
Cambridge United 3-0 Yeovil Town
Yeovil Town 1-0 Notts County