Exeter City continue their Papa John's Trophy campaign with a trip to League One Cheltenham Town.
The Grecians picked up a point their opening fixture with Chelsea U21's after Matt Jay equalised in the last minute of normal time. The Blues took the bonus point on penalties. The Robins also fell to defeat on matchday one of the Papa John's Trophy with a 2-0 loss to Bristol Rovers.
City, likely to chop and change the squad after a battling draw against Walsall on Saturday, go into the game unbeaten in eight. In stark contrast Cheltenham are on a run of four consecutive defeats and will be looking to kick start their season on Tuesday night
Matt Taylor's Thoughts
"Some players need a good performance on Tuesday and it's another opportunity for them. We're resolute when e need to be, but other teams are dictating games so that my be a shape thing.
"I'll look to address that this week, and might try some new bits and pieces on Tuesday, as a free hit on how personnel react."
Josh Coley's Thoughts
The summer signing was a half time substitute in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Walsall and was pleased to finally make his maiden appearance in red and white.
"My last game was 29th May, so it felt amazing to be out there. It's always hard to come into a new team and not be able to play straight. I was just great," he said.
"The fans were obviously amazing, too. They went crazy after I made a great tackle so I can only imagine what it will be like when I score my first goal."
Coley has the opportunity to pick up more minutes in Tuesday's match, and he is hoping to impress the manager, who was forced to wait to see his new signing in action.
"We go into every game wanting to win and a lot of the boys will be using this game to showcase what we're about. It's an opportunity for myself and a few others to give the manager something to think about."
Hear more from Josh 👇
Tickets and Travel
- Adult - £5
- Concession (65+/Student) - £3
- Under 18 - £1
- Use hand sanitizer stations at ground
- Maintain social distance from others not in your group as far as possible
- Wear facemasks when entering via turnstiles, indoor concourses/refreshment areas, when leaving the ground and any crowded areas (apply personal preference to remove whilst seated)
- Follow stewards instructions and any social distancing signage when moving around, exiting the stadium and using toilet facilities etc.
- Consider taking a lateral flow test on day of game
- Don’t attend if you have symptoms or told to self-isolate
- Listen for any Covid 19 related PA announcements.
By Car:
Jonny-Rocks Stadium, Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, GL52 5NA
Leave the M5 at Junction 11 turning right towards Cheltenham. Go across 1st roundabout - GCHQ is on your left. Turn left at the next roundabout, into Princess Elizabeth Way. Go straight over the next roundabout, (the exit is over at about "1 o'clock"). Keep on up this road, and you will come to a big roundabout, where you will see a McDonalds on the corner. Go straight across this roundabout and continue up this road going over a double mini roundabout.
Keep going for about 300 yards and then turn right into Swindon Lane. Go over the level crossing and straight over the next roundabout (signposted Prestbury) passing the race course on your left. Turn right into Albert Road (signposted Gloucestershire University) and at the bottom at the roundabout turn left into Prestbury Road, (the ground is signposted from here) and then further down Prestbury Road, turn right into Whaddon Road. The Jonny-Rocks Stadium is down on the left.
By Train:
The nearest train station to the Jonny-Rocks Stadium is Cheltenham Spa, which is on the Crosscountry mainline toward Birmingham New Street and the North. Services run approximately every half an hour from Exeter St Davids.
To get to the town centre from Cheltenham Spa railway station you can either walk (approximately 20 minutes), get the Stagecoach D bus (departs every 10 minutes during peak times) or get a taxi (there is a taxi rank at the station).
How to Follow
If you can't make it to Gloucestershire on Tuesday night you can still follow the game live on our social media, as well as live of iFollow for just £10, with commentary coming from the Cheltenham Town's feed.
After the match we will bring you reaction from manager Matt Taylor and a player.
Click here to purchase.
One To Watch
Liam Sercombe
Another ‘one of our own’ who has flown the nest and continues to shine, Liam Sercombe is very much a fan favourite at both St James Park and now Whaddon Road. Sercs signed for the Robins after being released from Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2020.
Sercombe began his career at City and was an influential part of the Exeter midfield under Tisdale and helped secure back-to-back promotions in 2008 and 09.
In his time at City, Sercombe scored 23 goals including a wonder strike against next month’s FA Cup opposition Sheffield Wednesday and a couple of memorable derby day goals against Plymouth Argyle.
He flourished at Oxford before his move to Rovers in 2017 for a six-figure sum, then teamed up with Michael Duff in the summer. Sercombe has already pierced the hearts of Exeter City fans this season, putting in a fine man of the match performance against the Grecians back in December 2020, scoring twice.
Cheltenham's last Papa John's Trophy fixture.
Bristol Rovers 2 Cheltenham Town 0 | Memorial Stadium | August 31 2021
Previous Encounter
Exeter City 0 Cheltenham Town 1 | Sky Bet League Two | St James Park | March 14 2021