Exeter City will be looking to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to Grimsby Town as they travel to face second placed Crewe Alexandra at the Alexandra Stadium on Saturday, October 5 in a 3pm kick-off.
Ryan Bowman's late strike against Grimsby meant that the Grecians kept top spot in EFL Sky Bet League Two by virtue of a single goal. Saturday's match against Crewe Alexandra is set up that a winner would move three points clear at the top of the league - so all is to play for.
Ahead of the match, City manager Matt Taylor said: "They've started well and we are on the same points so there isn't much to separate the teams. Hopefully it will be a good day for football in terms of the weather conditions and the pitch. It's certainly a game you have to look forward to."
THE CONTEXT
The Grecians come into the match first in Sky Bet League Two having picked up 22 points from their first ten matches of the season. City did suffer their first defeat of the season last time out against Grimsby Town and will be looking to bounce back.
As for Crewe, they sit second in the table, also with 22 points but behind City by one goal. Last time out they drew 1-1 with Cheltenham Town.
CREWE ALEXANDRA’S VIEW
Ahead of the match, Crewe manager David Artell was full of praise for Matt Taylor and Exeter City, he said: "Exeter are a good team and they have a very good manager in Matt. They have a stable board and a good board.
“They are a club build on stability now. They had a very good manager in Paul (Tisdale) and they have another one now. Matt has been able to put his own ideas over. They have lost some good players since he took over, but they have overcome that and are top of the league on merit.
“It is a tough assignment for us this weekend but make no mistake about it, we want to win the game and go to the top of the league."
LAST TIME WE MET
Crewe Alexandra 1 Exeter City 2
Exeter City picked up all three points with an excellent 2-1 win over Crewe Alexandra back in February. The Grecians went ahead through Jake Taylor's deflected effort early on before Chris Porter headed home just after half-time. But Matt Jay netted his first league goal of the season when he popped up with an excellent curled effort to give the Grecians all three points.
TICKET NEWS
Advance tickets are on sale for City's trip to the Alexandra Stadium and can be purchased in advance by clicking here. Tickets can also be purchased from the club shop until midday on Friday, October 4.
Ticket prices are as follows:
Whitby Morrison Stand (Block D)
- Adults: ÂŁ22
- 60+: ÂŁ17
- 12 to 16: ÂŁ10.50
- Under-11: ÂŁ6.50
- Disabled: ÂŁ17 (Carer FOC)
Advance Discounts? No
Ambulant: Pay age related price and carer free
Wheelchair: Please contact Crewe directly on 01270 252610
Matchday Purchase available? YES, from the away ticket office next to the turnstile (from 12pm).
Grecian Travel
The coach will depart from Unit 1 nightclub at 8:15am for a fare of ÂŁ35.
Please click here to find out more.
MATCH DAY COVERAGE
As usual, we’ll have the match covered across our social media channels and we’ll have a post-match interview with manager Matt Taylor as he reflects on the result. You can also tune into BBC Radio Devon to listen to commentary as well.
TRAVEL GUIDE
GRECIAN TRAVEL
Grecian Travel will be departing Unit 1 nightclub at 8:15am on Saturday, October 5, 2019 with fares priced at ÂŁ35.
Other pick-up points include Honiton Road Park & Ride (by Miller and Carter Steakhouse), Cullompton Services (Junction 28), Tiverton (Junction 27), Taunton (Junction 25), any other pick-ups en-route by prior arrangement.
To book your spot, please click here, or drop into Reception at St James Park.
For more information please contact Chris Woolcott on 01392 250250 or John Bishop on 07904036334 or by email at: john.bishop760@btinternet.com (After 6pm).
BY ROAD
Use the M5 and M6 before taking exit 16 from the M6. Then use the A500 to get into Crewe and follow the B5071 to Gresty Road, where the ground is located. At the ground behind the main stand there is parking for 560 cars that costs ÂŁ3.50, however this will fill quickly on match days.
BY RAIL
You can take the 08:24 train from Exeter St. David’s up to Birmingham New Street where you need to change to get the train to Crewe. This should have you there for 12:07. It is just an eight-minute walk from the station to the stadium. You can return to Exeter on the same day by picking up the 18:33 train from Crewe before once again changing in Birmingham and getting the train back to Exeter from there which will have you back in Devon for 21:44.
PUBS/FOOD
If you arrive early, the supporters’ club will allow small numbers of away fans to enter. There are a selection of pubs nearby such as the Corner Bar at the Royal Hotel, the Cheshire Inn and the Brunswick which are all quite close to the stadium and will welcome away fans.
The Alexandra Suite
The Alex Suite can be found adjacent to the Whitby Morrison Stand, and opens from 12noon for Saturday fixtures and 5.30pm for evening games, showing live Football from BT and Sky Sports.
A selection of hot and cold food is also served inside, with vegetation options and pre-match alcoholic drinks available. The matchday programme is also available to purchase from behind the bar. Both home & well-behaved visiting supporters are welcome pre-match in the Alexandra Suite.
AWAY FAN GUIDE
Click here to find out all you need to know about visiting the Alexandra Stadium.
TOTAL DISTANCE
The total distance between St James Park and the Alexandra Stadium is 211 miles which would take just under four hours to drive.