đź“ť Big match preview: City v Crewe Alexandra

Exeter City return to league action at St James Park as they welcome Crewe Alexandra in Sky Bet League Two.

The Grecians will be looking to turn a difficult run around when they welcome David Artell’s side to Devon. However, Matt Taylor says the players are still in a good place mentally and physically going into the weekend. 

“Certainly, on the outside, from the run of results we have had, belief starts to dwindle a little bit, but we are positive that going into this weekend we are in a good place mentally and physically,” said Matt.

“We are going to give it everything we have got and hopefully get a positive result and then we go to Oldham feeling a little better about ourselves and everyone is a little bit more settled down and then you going into the Christmas period and it is something to look forward to.”

“We are not hiding away from the run of results,” added Matt. “We have got to be better than what we have shown, certainly in recent weeks.

“I’m sure it will change on the back of the players we have got at our disposal plus in the games that we are referring to it has been fine margins. You look at Bury last weekend, who are a top, top team at home, and we were those missed opportunities in the second half and a penalty away from getting something out of that game."

LAST TIME WE MET 

The sides last met towards the end of February last season in what was a stunning encounter at Gresty Road. 

The match was evenly contested for the best part of 85 minutes and it looked certain to be heading to a goalless draw before Crewe struck in the 88th minute when Shaun Miller found the net. 

But the Grecians battled back to level in stoppage time through Jordan Moore-Taylor who fired home. It then got even better for City when they snatched the three points in the dying seconds of the match when Jayden Stockley got on the end of Lee Holmes’ deep cross to send the travelling Grecians home delighted.

TICKET NEWS

You can book online via mobile, tablet or desktop by visiting: tickets.ecfc.co.uk or by calling: 01392 411 243 or by visiting the club shop/reception at St James Park. 

Matchday sales and collections for the new Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand will need to be made at the ticket booth in Red Square as the new stand ticket booth is still a work in progress. Supporters are encouraged to collect their tickets in advance from St James Park. 

Ticket prices are as follows, advance tickets are available up to the day before the match.

 

The Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand will be open for the Manchester City v Everton match from 12.30pm. The bar will be open, so why not come along early! 

TARGET SHOOTING 

CITY Community Trust’s target shoot game is scheduled in Red Square for this Saturday by the information point. Safety is, of course, paramount for supporters so the target shooting will only go ahead as long as there are appropriate weather conditions.

CAROL SINGING 

As Saturday’s match is the last one prior to Christmas Day, we will have Plymtree Primary School carol singing between 1.30pm and 2.15pm to raise funds for their PTA.

LES THE FEZ RETURNS!

As well as the chance to get your face-painted from 2pm, Les the Fez will be performing tricks, balloon modelling and japers. Let’s hope he gets another standing ovation in the RGB Legends Lounge!

MATCH SPONSORS

We are excited to welcome our match sponsors, Deadline Distribution on Saturday, as well as our ball sponsors, Hayley Exeter and Bidfood.

We are looking forward to welcoming all of our sponsors to the match and wish them a very pleasant day with us.

MATCH DAY PROGRAMME

The Grecian returns with an in-depth interview with Dean Moxey. After returning to the club prior to last season, the left back discusses life under Matt Taylor, how he and his teammates are targeting a return to winning ways and what he makes of the current crop of City youngsters aiming to break into the first team as Dean did back in 2003. Our regular features from the likes of City fan Tony Morris and local journalist Matt Bamsey also return. 

JUNIOR GRECIANS FAMILY ZONE 

The Junior Grecians family zone will be open to its members from 12.30pm on Saturday and at 1.30pm for everyone else, including away supporters.

The zone has video consoles, large TV screens, a refreshments stall and table football. It is located near the players' entrance at the IP Office Stand.

MASCOTS

The matchday mascots are as follows: Adam Sapkota, Logan Taverner, Joshua Hesp, Ollie Jones, Freddy Marchant, Max Fagan, Alex Forrester and James Miller. 

You can read their profiles in the match day programme. If you would like to be a matchday mascot this season, then contact our operations manager Andy Gillard via email at andy.gillard@ecfc.co.uk.

CLUB SHOP 

The club shop will be open from 11am to give you the opportunity to make some purchases ahead of the match and will close at 5.30pm.