Next Up: Exeter City vs Northampton Town

City failed to build on the win at Cambridge in going down with barely a whimper 3-0 at Charlton last week, and following a few days in the sun in Spain Gary Caldwell’s men turn to a busy run including three home games against fellow strugglers in the space of ten days (with a trip to Reading thrown in for good measure). Ed Turns misses the game as he sits out the final match of his suspension from his début red card, while also missing will be Jay Bird, who made his Rochdale debut on Tuesday night following his loan move to the National League side. Shaun MacDonald missed the Charlton match but should be ok to return to the bench, while Pierce Sweeney is still a couple of weeks away from returning.

After a season considered to be one of over-achieving before falling away somewhat, Northampton have found life a bit tougher this season, with Jon Brady leaving recently to be replaced by Kevin Nolan. Results have been pretty decent in recent weeks, the highlight being a win over high-flying Huddersfield, while last week’s win over Bristol Rovers saw the Cobblers move above City before a 1-2 home defeat to Barnsley in midweek. City also have two games in hand, but both sides will see this as a “must win” especially with the improved form of some of the teams below them. Goals have been an issue for Northampton, top scorer Cameron McGeehan has eight while the normally talismanic Sam Hoskins has just four. In total 37 players have been used by Brady and Nolan this season, suggesting continuity is an issue.

In one of the quirks of the fixture computer, the match at Sixfields was one of the first of the season and Northampton gained revenge for City’s 2-1 win just a couple of fixtures previously at the end of last season – winning by the same scoreline. Crama had given City the lead in the first half before Morton and McGeehan scored in the second to clinch the points. City will be looking for revenge of their own for Northampton’s 2-0 win at SJP last season, Hoskins and Brough doing the damage that day. The Cobblers still have a healthy league head to head lead in what is one of City’s most frequent fixtures, with 52 wins to City’s 30, 31 matches finishing level.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Charles Breakspear
Assistant Referees: Justin Amey and Marcus Carmichael
Fourth Official: Sam Mulhall

Charles Breakspear has taken charge of some 20 Exeter games going back to 2013 when City beat Scunthorpe 4-0 away. Last season he took charge of two City games, both Wycombe games, the 3-0 away win on the opening day of the season and the 1-0 home win on Boxing Day. This season he’s taken charge of 11 games, booking 57 players and sending off two players.

Interview with Gary Caldwell

Interview with Ryan Trevitt