MATCH PREVIEW: Exeter (H)

April 20th 2021Noah Dougherty

Tonight's visitors are Exeter City, who visit The innocent New Lawn for the first time since the very start of 2020, for a 7pm kick off.

Rovers are coming into this one on the back of an important victory on Saturday, while the Grecians drew 0-0 with Southend United last time out.

Here is all you need to know ahead of the game:

What we said:

"Exeter have dangerous players everywhere but we're similar in the options we have," said Jimmy Ball.

"Bowman is a presence, and Jay's movement and ability to anticipate things is very good.

"We've got to be equal to that challenge, and I think we will be."

What they said:

"We have to be prepared. We know they are going to be a good side," said defender Lewis Page.

"These are the sides you have to be beating if you want to have a chance of getting promoted.

"We have to be the very best we can be, like we did at Cambridge. We have to only worry about ourselves and not what they do."

Team news:

Dan Sweeney and Jamille Matt remain absent while Elliott Whitehouse is recovering well.

Key player: Matt Jay

Matt Jay is a product of Exeter City Academy.

He made his first team debut in the Football League Trophy over Wycombe Wanderers in 2013 at the age of 17.

The striker, known for his great technical ability and quick feet, has had two successful loan spells at Hayes & Yeading and Truro City. His first goal for City came in the EFL Trophy in August 2016 as he fired home a first-time shot against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

Matt continued his development as he netted his first league goal against Cambridge United in the 2017/18 season, and he managed to find the net four times in the 2018/19 campaign - three of which were contenders for goal of the season.

This season, he has 19 goals to his name.

Last time we met:

Exeter City and Forest Green shared the spoils after playing out an entertaining 1-1 draw at St James Park.

The Grecians started well as Matt Jay found some space, but he scuffed his 20-yard shot straight into the arms of Luke McGee.

Jack Sparkes fired wide at the back post after great work by Jay and Randell Williams as Exeter created the better chances.

But with their first genuine chance, Forest Green's Jamille Matt struck the top of the crossbar from close range.

From the resulting corner, in the 16th minute, Nicky Cadden played it to the edge of the box and Aaron Collins sidefooted in from 20 yards out.

Collins almost added a second but was denied by Jonny Maxted before his Exeter namesake - Archie Collins - levelled things in the 37th minute with a brilliant first-time shot from 20 yards that flew in off the underside of the crossbar.

Exeter's Ryan Bowman saw a header flipped away by McGee and Williams shot just wide to bring the half to a close.

Chances dried up after the break, but Exeter should have won it when Joel Randall volleyed over the crossbar from close range from Williams' delicate chip.

Head-to-head:

Rovers have won twice in this fixture - out of 22 attempts.

Tonight's visitors have taken the points on 11 occasions, while the spoils have been shared nine times.

Coverage:

This game will be available to watch live by subscribing HERE, or you can listen to the game with our audio service HERE, both abroad or in the UK.

Please contact fgrtv@streamamg.com if you have any issues with your FGR Live account.

Full commentary of Saturday’s match will also be available on BBC Radio Gloucestershire on 1413AM.

Stay up to date also on Twitter and Instagram by following @FGRFC_Official, which will have all of the team news before kick-off and updates throughout the game.

There will also be key updates and team news on Facebook. Round-up the clash by checking out the club website where there will be a full report looking back on the encounter.