Preview: Clevedon Town v Exeter City

Clevedon Town v Exeter City
Monday 15th July, 7.30pm
Hand Stadium
Pre-season friendly

The Grecians’ second pre-season friendly is admittedly at the other end of the spectrum from the first.  QPR were visitors last week, with their array of superstars and stellar names – Clevedon Town now provide the opposition.

The Seasiders are managed by former Bristol City defender Michael Bell, and play in the Southern League Division One South & West, four tiers below the Grecians.

Two years ago, Exeter sent a representative XI to the Hand Stadium to face Clevedon and triumphed 4-1 on that occasion.  Jake Gosling and Tom Nichols were on the scoresheet on that occasion.

However the Seasiders are no strangers to causing upsets – in 2012, despite avoiding relegation to Step 5 by one league position, they won the Southern League Cup by defeating Southern League Premier side Banbury over two legs in the final.

They also opened their pre-season ahead of 2013/14 with a 2-1 win at the Hand Stadium against a Bristol City side, and will be hosting Bristol Rovers and Plymouth ahead of the new campaign too.

So while the result won’t count for anything when the Grecians travel to Somerset (as match fitness is the order of the day), there’ll still be a keenness from both teams to give a fair account of themselves.

Previous Meeting
The Grecians triumphed 4-1 the last time they sent a squad to the Hand Stadium two years ago in pre-season.  Chris Sheppard, Jake Gosling, Tom Nichols (pen) and Callum McNish were the scorers for the visitors.

Tickets
Entry to the Hand Stadium for this pre-season game is priced as follows:

Adult: £7.50
Seniors: £5
Under-16: £3
Under-14: FREE