Two form teams meet at St James Park on Saturday as City take on Colchester United in a 3pm kick-off in EFL Sky Bet League Two
Ahead of the match Exeter City manager Matt Taylor is expecting a good advert for Sky Bet League football on Saturday as the Grecians hosts Colchester United.
"They have got a good set off players, but so have we." said Matt. I’d like it to be a really good advert for League Two football.”
“It is all to play for this weekend. It is another team in and around the right end of the table, looking to challenge. We have been strong at home though, and we have always played on the front foot when we can, and I am expecting a big crowd to back us on this weekend.”
THE CONTEXT
The Grecians come into the match in fine form and are unbeaten in their last TEN league matches. City sit second in EFL Sky Bet League Two, level on points with leaders Swindon Town but with a game in hand.
Colchester come into the match in very good form and are unbeaten in their last fourteen league matches, they have however drawn four of their last five. They sit in the play-offs in seventh place.
COLCHESTER'S LAST MATCH
Colchester United 0 Bradford City 0 | January 21, 2020 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
Two League Two promotion contenders played out a midweek goalless draw as Colchester just couldnt find a way past Luke McGee in the Bradford goal.
TICKET NEWS
Your support has been crucial to City's strong start to the season and once again we need your vocal backing to drive City to another 3 points.
Tickets are on sale at advance prices until 5pm in person and midnight online, on Friday, January 10 so you can save time and money, and pick your seat in advance. Click here to book online.
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 and a player as they reflect on the result. You can also tune into BBC Radio Devon to listen to commentary as well.
Over the coming days you will be able to watch short and extended highlights (extended if subscribed to iFollow) and the SJP 360 recap of the match.
LAST LEAGUE MEETING
Colchester United 2 Exeter City 2 | December 29, 2019 | EFL Sky Bet League Two
The points were shared at the JobServe Community Stadium, as City come from behind to salvage a point courtesy of a penalty from Ryan Bowman. Jake Taylor was also on target for the Grecians.
MATCH SPONSORS
Our match sponsor is Girling Jones and ball sponsor is Unique Landscaping. We hope they all enjoy their day at St James Park.
MATCH DAY PROGRAMME
Our award-winning match day programme returns this Saturday and as usual has a whole host of content for supporters of all ages. The feature interview for this edition is with One of our Own, Archie Collins, who has been an almost ever present in the starting XI this season. He talks about his improvement as a player from his breakthrough campaign last year and what it meant to captain his boyhood club.
Junior Grecians can take part in our quizzes and local journalists Matt Bamsey and Alan Richardson cast their eyes over the Grecians and the wider footballing world.
MASCOTS
You can read the mascot profiles in the match day programme which you can pick up in the stadium for ÂŁ3.00 on the day. For mascot booking or information, please contact andy.gillard@ecfc.co.uk.
CLUB SHOP
The club shop will be open from 10:30am and closes once supporters have left SJP, giving you the opportunity to make some purchases ahead of the match including the popular new third kit! There is a great range for all City supporters including training wear, mugs, scarves and a selection of pocked money items for kids.
MATCHDAY ACTIVITIES
As ever, football at the Park isn't just about the 90 minutes on the pitch, we've got a whole host of opportunities and experiences to make your matchday extra special.
FREE Face Painting
The face painters are back for the match to help you show your colours. Popular with children and seemingly as many adults, face painting will be available in Red Square from 1:30pm and subsequently around the ground. Don’t worry if you miss them pre-match they will be mobile around the ground during half-time.
First visit photo opportunity
Bringing anyone under-12 to their first match at SJP? We would love for them to be part of a 'first visit to SJP' pitch side photo opportunity.
If you would be interested in marking the occasion, and want to make the experience extra special, please get in touch by emailing: junior.grecians@ecfc.co.uk with their name and age so we can create a special 'first visit' certificate for them.
On a Saturday matchday, please head to the Junior Grecians Lounge in Red Square at 1:45pm, where you will be met by a member of staff and taken pitch side for a photo, certificate AND goody bag!
Please click here to view our 'First vist to SJP' guide.
Family photo opportunity
Another extra service that has really taken off is photos of away and City families in the respective dugouts. If you would like to record your visit with this 'Kodak moment; please ask at the Tombola stall at 1:50pm.
Other Activities in Red Square Fan Zone:
Don’t forget those special selfie and autograph opportunities as the players start to arrive around 12:45.
In Red Square Fan Zone will be the Kenniford Farm van serving hot food direct from their farm.
You can also pick up some free player stickers, from the Ambassadors, the Information Point and the Tombola Stand. This week's player is leading goal-scorer Ryan Bowman!.
There will also be the Quiz and play Jenga.
The Tombola
You can also take part in the Exeter City tombola where the first prize is a signed Exeter City football. All funds raised go directly to the academy to support the future of the club. There is still one remaining opportunity to pull out number 25 (Jake Taylor!) and win a signed match ball.
To help boost the funds for the Academy you can also obtain a team sheet for a small donation at the Tombola stall. The Academy donations through match day activities currently stand at ÂŁ1400. Finally on the Tombola stall and in the JG Zone youngsters can obtain free fresh fruit.
Announce the City side
We will be asking a home supporter to announce the City side and a Northampton supporter to announce the away side at 2:05pm. this could be you! If you would like to do this head to the Information Point before 2pm.
50/50 draw
Don't forget to take part the Supporters Club matchday 50/50 Draw at St James Park, with half the money going directly to the club, and half been given away to draw winners in prize money.
The team of sellers from the Supporters Club can be found in Red Square from 1:30pm and tour the stadium before the games kick off, selling draw tickets to supporters for 50p each.
Junior Grecians tickets
Junior Grecians members get access to free match tickets when purchased alongside a paying adult. There are two family friendly areas available at St James Park, section E in the IP Office Main Stand and a section of the Thatchers Big Bank which is identified by the white barriers).
Click here to find out more.
Join the Guard of Honour
All being well (weather permitting) the Guard of Honour should be back on Saturday. The lucky flag wavers should be selected from the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield around 2:25.
After assembling, the Guard of Honour (and parents) move to the far side of ground to get some practice in waving their flags, which also presents an opportunity for Grecian to pose for photographs.
When the players finish their warm up the Guard of Honour go on their 'lap of honour' in front of the stands to the players’ tunnel. After they have been on the field and welcomed the teams and officials onto the pitch they receive their “gift” (normally a packet of sweets) and certificates of participation.
If your son, daughter or grandchild has not been involved in the Guard of Honour, please email customerservices@exetercityfc.co.uk.
Junior Grecians Lounge
The Junior Grecians are the Official Junior Supporters Club of Exeter City FC.
The room provides a safe comfortable environment for families to enjoy pre-match entertainment, such as a large screen TVs, Playstation consoles and Table Football, as well as the option to enjoy refreshments from the Zone’s very own kiosk.
A feature wall displaying a packed Big Bank also provides a photo-sharing opportunity using the #jgzone hashtag. There are activities and competitions to suit all junior age groups, from FIFA19 and Table Football tournaments to free Activity Packs for younger children.
The Zone also features a VIP party area and there are several party packages available to book throughout the season.
So, if you are visiting St James Park on a matchday with children, be sure to pop in to the family zone!
New for this season, is the Family Zone 2 in the Stagecoach Adam Stansfield Stand, the astroturfed area includes a photo wall opportunity, table football, and beanbags where children can gather to play games and relax before kick-off.
Matchday timetable
Take a look below to familiarise yourself with the key matchday timings here at St James Park.
For the Adults
BOTTLE BAR
On the Big Bank on Saturday?
We will again have the bottle bar in the triangle kiosk, with Carlsberg plastic bottles available at half-time for just ÂŁ3.50
Make sure you visit the Centre Spot bar after the match, where pints of Thatchers, Carlesberg and Tribute and selected Ales at the FECRACE bar are just ÂŁ3.
The late kick-off sees Hull City face Chelsea in a 5:30pm kick-off in the Emirates FA Cup, so why not stay at the Park and take advantage of the drinks offers.