Next Up: Doncaster Rovers vs Exeter City

After a turbulent close season involving a mysterious loan from the Trust, departures from the club board and a number of players departing for pastures new, City have as usual been installed amongst the relegation favourites. Keen to defy the odds once again, Gary Caldwell is confident that after a solid pre-season on the pitch culminating in a 1-0 win over Swansea in Pierce Sweeney’s testimonial last Saturday, his City side can push on from the 16th place finish last term. At this time of year supporters will have to get used to seeing a number of new faces in the line-up, with players like Jayden Wareham, Ethan Brierley, Ryan Rydel, Sel Swinkels and Luca Woodhouse aiming to become the next City hero. Returning too are Johnly Yfeko, now a contracted City player after his loan from Rangers last season, and Joe Whitworth for a second loan spell from Crystal Palace. In addition to the players released in May a number of players have departed, some after turning down contract offers to stay, including Ryan Woods, Demetri Mitchell and, most controversially, Caleb Watts down the A38 to Cornwall. With a number of players battling injury currently Caldwell’s options may be somewhat limited, but most of the new players should feature either from the start or off the bench.

In a season where everyone in League Two seemed to be doing their best to avoid gaining promotion – Walsall in particular doing a “Devon Loch” in the second half of the season – Doncaster were always in the mix, eventually running out champions to return to the third tier after three seasons in the basement. Grant McCann doesn’t appear to have tampered too much with his squad in the summer, although he will have to find a replacement for the goals of Rob Street, whose 12 in 16 starts (plus six off the bench) on loan from Lincoln in the second half of last season proved pivotal. Luke Molyneux was top scorer with 16 in the league (18 in all competitions) and he will be keen to make the step up.

As Doncaster and City swapped places in 2022, the last time the sides met was in 2016/17, and a pair of 3-1 away wins showed up the transformation in City’s season in the second half. When Doncaster made the long trip to Devon in November and left with the points (City led through a penalty from Reuben Reid but Doncaster came back through Mandeville and a Marquis double) City were languishing at the bottom of the League Two table. Fast forward to April and City’s last away match of the season at already-promoted Doncaster, and City’s 3-1 win ensured a playoff place. City led through Jordan Moore-Taylor before inevitably James Coppinger equalised against his former club, but undeterred City scored twice in the second half (Wheeler and McAlinden) to clinch the points. Doncaster have the overall lead in league head to heads with 22 wins to City’s 17, just five matches finishing level.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Ross Joyce
Assistant Referees: Adam Burgess and Daniel Smith
Fourth Official :Steven Copeland

The last time Ross Joyce took charge of an Exeter game was last September when Blackpool beat City 2-1 at Bloomfield Road. Prior to that he took charge of a 1-1 draw away at Stevenage sending Jack Aitchison off. Last season he took charge of 31 games, issuing 114 yellow cards and sending off three players.

Interview with Gary Caldwell

Interview with Jack Fitzwater