Tisdale upbeat about City's future despite recent slump

Paul Tisdale has remained faithful to Exeter City despite interest from Portsmouth. Photo: wearegoingup.co.uk

Will Brookes was present at Exeter City’s recent fan’s forum at St. James Park, where manager Paul Tisdale was defiant over his team’s poor recent run of results.

Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale was in fine form as he, along with senior club officials, answered the questions of around 50 City supporters during a fans’ forum at St. James Park last Thursday evening.

Tisdale used his opening statement to back the club’s policy of bringing through young players, alluding to their success in recent Premier League Under 21 Cup games against such opposition as Southampton and Blackburn. Both budgetary constraints and a belief in home-grown players have seen Tisdale place faith in his young squad this season, with six of the starters against their recent match Bristol City aged 23 or younger.

This is something which fans have become used to seeing over recent weeks, as was ultimately ending up on the wrong side of a tight result – this time going down 2-1 at Bristol Rovers thanks to an injury time strike from John-Joe O’Toole. Tisdale, The English league’s second-longest serving manager after Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, also spoke publicly for the first time about his link with the vacant Portsmouth job in December.

“[Portsmouth] approached the club and asked to speak to me. I didn’t apply for the job. There have been times when I’ve spoken to another club. I see no harm in it. I often learn more about our league and other clubs in the process,” said Tisdale, who continued by re-iterating his desire to add to his seven and a half years at St James Park as well as his belief that his current crop of youngsters can go on to produce great things for the club.

Despite his optimism of things to come on the pitch, Tisdale did admit to fans that City’s financial constraints could force his hand during the transfer window. “It would be heart-breaking if one of our players who will be a starter for us over the next 18 months leaves, but if he leaves at a very good price then we have to say that it’s worth doing. We’d be foolish not to talk to any club [about a potential transfer].”

Chairman and CEO, Julian Tagg, gave more insight to reasons behind the club’s yearly budget tightening. “The first year we were in League 1, our average attendance was 5,700; it is now less than 2,000. The average profit per head is about a tenner, meaning that the difference is about half a million per year [in gate receipts],” explained Tagg.

What has also added to City’s problems this season is the high proportion of home games played mid-week, which notoriously attract fewer fans than a Saturday afternoon fixture. Three of the next six home games will be played on a Tuesday night, with the late cancellation of last Saturday’s game against Morecambe means a fourth will almost certainly be added to that list.

Overall, Tisdale was both professional and thorough in his answering of questions, with both he and the board clearly understanding that a fan-owned club has to have a certain level of openness with supporters whilst still keeping the ins and outs of club life behind closed doors.

He was however quick to go toe-to-toe with a fan who challenged his policies without the knowledge to back his point up. He accused the supporter, who attacked him for having “wasted a lot of money on loan players who didn’t need to be signed”, of “commenting on money you don’t understand”, claiming that he had not paid a penny in fees or wages for three players mentioned.

Despite a bright start, City currently lie 15^th in League Two, 10 points off the playoffs following four defeats in their last five games. Whilst first team results have been poor, the St. James Park faithful have been thrilled by the performances of their youngsters who have set up a quarter-final clash with Burnley in the Premier League Under 21 Cup in the inaugural year of the competition, with a potential semi-final meeting with Chelsea or Arsenal to dream of beyond that.

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Exeter City: The Season So Far

As Exeter City reach the half-way mark in the 2012-13 season, now is the perfect time to look back on how they have fared up until this stage. Alex Bonner looks back and outlines what the Grecians should aim to achieve come May

How City have fared so far

At the time of writing, City sit 13^th in the League Two table, having accumulated 32 points thus far. This puts them seven points away from the play-off positions, with some tough fixtures yet to come – including the likes of Oxford United and Burton Albion, currently seventh and third in the league respectively.

Following early exits in both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup, the club’s full attention is currently focused towards mounting a challenge for a top-seven finish. Suffering from the loss of star striker Jamie Cureton, who departed for fellow League Two side Cheltenham at the start of the season, the Grecians are desperate for some kind of form, with a position in the play-offs right now looking at best an outside possibility.

David Wheeler has been one of Exeter’s most impressive players this season. Photo: exeterexpressandecho.co.uk

Such a state of affairs is a far cry from the opening few months of City’s campaign, with early momentum achieved with wins against Bristol Rovers, AFC Wimbledon and York. Further away wins against Northampton and Fleetwood town were then followed up by a barnstorming performance in the Devon Derby against Plymouth Argyle at St. James Park and an equally impressive 4-0 victory away to Scunthorpe – after which the Grecians were occupying the lofty position of third in the league.

That proved to be the high water mark of the campaign so far, however, as City failed to win in the next seven games, suffering four consecutive losses. The rot was stopped by an away win against Accrington Stanley in December, after which City still sat a respectable fifth in the table, but a recent run of poor form, a 3-1 away win to Torquay the only time the squad hasn’t lost in the last five games, has seen them slump all the way down to their current mid-table position.

Most Promising Performers

Alan Gow (Striker) – Having been at the club since 2012, Gow has adapted well to the demands of League Two this season. With six goals and a handful of assists in the league so far, Gow has been one of Exeter’s more consistent performers. Having signed a new two-year contract for the club, Exeter have been rewarded by Gow’s consistency of late.

Arron Davies (Winger) – Having featured in all of Exeter’s league games this season, Davies has been an ever present figure for the Grecians. This season has seen the Welshman add more elements to his game, now contributing more assists and goals to the team. Davies’s best moment of the season so far came against Scunthorpe, scoring a goal that was executed with both extreme control and power:

David Wheeler (Winger) – Accompanying Davies at the position of winger, Wheeler has performed well this season, with the Englishman putting in some consistent performances of late. Having signed with Exeter in August 2013, after impressing on trial, Wheeler has gone on to represent City in 19 league games, with his direct running and tireless work rate proving an enormous asset to the team.

Most Disappointing Performers 

Pat Baldwin (Defender) – Following a strong season for the defender last year, this season has proved to be a torrid one so for Baldwin. City have been criticized for their poor defensive record, having conceded 34 goals this season, meaning players like Baldwin will need to improve if the Grecians are to have any chances of reaching the play–offs.

Arthur Krysiak (Goalkeeper) – Though Exeter’s defence has been lacklustre this year, some blame should also be apportioned to Exeter’s goalkeeper, Krysiak, for the unacceptably high number of goals that have been conceded. This one scored by Portsmouth epitomises the Pole’s poor form of late:

Prospects for the remainder of the season

Following a shaky first half of the 2013–14 season, City will have to achieve far greater consistency in the coming months to have any chance of achieving a much sought-after play–off spot. March will likely prove pivotal for City, as the team will encounter a tough run of fixtures that will likely determine the outcome of their season.

Following just five away wins, City will need to improve their away form to have any chance of climbing the table. Despite sitting 13th, Exeter are in fact alarmingly close to the relegation zone, with local rivals Torquay, who currently occupy one of the relegation spots, just six points off City.

Despite boasting some strength in depth, the top clubs in League Two still boast stronger line-ups than the current Exeter squad, meaning a return to League One simply isn’t feasible at the present time. With the lack of financial resources available to City, the club are unlikely to strengthen considerably over January, further denting their promotion ambitions.

That said, achieving a top 10 league standing come the end of the season should prove a realistic objective for City, and, if realised, will prove a solid platform on which to build in subsequent seasons.

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Exeter City salvage draw at home to Bury

Nichols grabs an equaliser for City. Photo: Steve Ayers

A frustrated crowd of 3,426 watched on as Exeter failed to build upon the midweek draw at Wycombe, as low-flying Bury managed to capitalise on Exeter’s defensive frailties to claim a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park.

Exeter struggled to gain any sort of momentum in the opening 10 minutes, with the ball spending little time on the ground as the teams battled for possession. It was Bury who struck first in the 15^th minute, as former Exeter City striker Daniel Nardiello buried a low shot from just outside the area down to the keeper’s right hand side. Bury nearly compounded Exeter’s problems mere minutes later, as a poor back pass allowed the ball to be drilled across the face of goal, only for Hylton’s weak shot to be saved by a scrambling Kyrsiak.

Exeter struggled to find a way through for much of the first half. Their repeated long balls down the middle of the park to O’Flynn and Gow were largely ineffectual, thanks to the towering presence of Cameron and Edjenguele at the back for Bury. Exeter’s central defensive partnership was notably shaky for most of the afternoon as they consistently surrendered possession in dangerous areas. Nonetheless, their wing play did show promise, particularly in the shape of Butterfield and Wheeler down the right hand side, who consistently found space to deliver dangerous balls into the box.

Former Southampton man Danny Butterfield. Photo: Steve Ayers

It was down the left however, that Exeter finally found an equaliser on 40 minutes. Woodman’s throw-in found an unmarked O’Flynn, and his ball found the onrushing Wheeler, who placed a neat volley into the bottom left hand corner from six yards to level the game before half time.

Half time saw O’Flynn replaced by Parkin, whose height and physicality was sorely needed against Bury’s defence. Regardless, it was Bury who started the stronger of the two sides after the restart. A long ball over the top saw a lack of communication between the Exeter back line and the keeper result in a panicked clearance for a Bury corner. The significant height advantage of Bury’s centre back Cameron saw him leap largely unchallenged in centre of the six-yard box to head beyond Krysiak into the bottom corner.

Once again, Bury reacted the better of the two sides once going ahead. It was almost déjà vu for Exeter as a long ball once again unlocked their defence. The resultant goalmouth scramble eventually saw Proctor’s header cleared off the line, despite protest from the away fans and the Bury team that the ball had gone in.

To Exeter’s credit, there were spells in the game in which they played some very neat tidy passing football, but Bury pressured the ball extremely well, leaving the final product disappointing. City manager Paul Tisdale clearly felt the team needed changing to salvage the game, as wingers Nichols and Davies were bought on in place of goal-scorer Wheeler and centre back Coles. The home fans booed the substitution of Wheeler, as he had look like their most likely creative outlet to break down Bury’s defence. Even the away fans expressed their surprise, with chants of “you don’t know what you’re doing” coming from the 123 travelling Bury supporters.

David Wheeler gets stuck in for Exeter. Photo: Steve Ayers

It was Tisdale who was to have the last laugh however, as a good spell of pressure from Exeter lead to substitute Nichols grabbing an equaliser on 77 minutes. A failed corner eventually came out to Sercombe, whose pass across the face of goal was lifted into the centre of the net by the 20-year-old academy product.

That goal gave the Grecians a much-needed boost, as great spells of pressure saw Woodman’s shot from the edge of the area saved. Bury remained dangerous however, especially Hylton and Jones who consistently chased down the nervy Exeter back line. Bury perhaps should have won the game, as Jones’ ball was on a plate for Soares, who headed the ball uncontested over the bar from five yards out.

Exeter ended the game with positive play, their two close range efforts defended valiantly by the Bury defenders, but it wasn’t enough to rescue more than a point for City. An away trip to Accrington in their next game offers the Grecians a good opportunity to collect their first win in seven games.

Will Cafferky, Sports Team

Exeter City defeated by hard-working Southend

Exeter started the day in the final play-off spot with a chance to move into the automatic qualification spots if they managed a win over an in-form Southend United, but it was the Shrimpers who moved into the play-offs at the expense of the Grecians with a comfortable 2-0 win.

The opening few minutes were scrappy with a large number of long balls being mopped up by the defenders; the home crowd became frustrated as lead striker Sam Parkin struggled to make any impact.

Photo: Steve Ayers

The first real chance of the game fell to Exeter, when, after 10 minutes, a lovely ball found Sercombe, but his first time strike was weak and went straight into the arms of Southend keeper Bentley. A brief spell of Exeter control followed, but it was Southend who were to take control.

In the 14^th minute, John White on the Southend wing put a great cross and Cauley Woodrow beat Exeter keeper Krysiak to put the visitors into the lead. Krysiak should have got to the ball first, but Woodrow’s bravery paid off and Southend didn’t look back.

They continued to dominate and Prosser went close from a headed chance before Woodrow forced a fine save from Krysiak, who got down to turn the long range effort round the post. Exeter forced one sweeping move but Sercombe’s poor finish once again meant the move came to nothing.

Southend struck again on 29 minutes with a fine volleyed finish from Kevan Hurst after some good wide play from Anthony Straker, and from then on Exeter truly looked a beaten side. The game descended into scrappy encounters for the remainder of the half, with both sides only threatening from set pieces.

The second half started with the 3,500 strong crowd eager to see an improvement – Southend had been effective if uninspiring but Exeter had simply not turned up so far. Exeter responded to the fans straight away with a Parkin header on target sending a ripple of excitement through the crowd.

Photo: Steve Ayers

Unfortunately, there wasn’t much more to shout about as both sides cancelled each other out for most of the second half. Woodrow went closest in the second half as he saw his effort cleared off the Exeter line by some desperate defending, with Krysiak well beaten.

A double change for Exeter saw Jay and Davies replaced by O’Flynn and Nichols after 66 minutes, but any chance of an Exeter comeback didn’t materialise as they had to settle for half chances from long range due to the strong aerial presence of the Southend back line.

Photo: Steve Ayers

The second half was extremely frustrating for the crowd with nothing really to cheer; save for the final whistle which was greeted with a scattering of boos from the home fans, Exeter now without a win in seven games.

Southend, by contrast, are in fine form with five wins in their last seven matches and manager Phil Brown seemed confident that form can continue when Exeposé Sport spoke to him after the match.

“We’ve fallen upon a system that suits everyone in the football club, and if I was a striker I’d be delighted with the service coming in from the wide players,” Brown said.

“We’re playing with confidence and it’s about keeping hold of this confidence which can be a fragile thing in any division.”

Scott Johnson, Sports Team

Get involved in the Exeter City Santa Dash

 

Photo: David Evans

If you enjoyed the Town v Gown Football match at Exeter City Football Club, here is your next opportunity to engage with Exeter City FC. Exeter University Students are invited to take part in the Exeter City FC Charity Santa Dash on Saturday 30^th November.

It is a fun afternoon taking part in the one mile Santa Dash at 1.15pm then watching Exeter City play Bury at 3pm. You can raise money for the charity of your choice, whichever charity is closest to your heart. Your sponsorship money is split 50/50 between the Exeter City Football in the Community Charity projects and the charity of your choice.

The route is just one mile from the Exeter City High Street to the St James Park Stadium. Conveniently, there are four pubs on route should you need a drink stop, just like the serious Olympian runners. . . .   

Exeter University Students (any age) receive a Santa Suit and a ticket for the Exeter City v Bury game for just £5.

It is hoped that the Uni Cheerleaders are taking part. You can enter individually, with a couple of friends, or perhaps as a whole sports club. You can all run for the same charity as a group or team if you wish. In the last two years we have had over 300 Santa Dashers taking part.

Book your place with david.evans@exetercityfc.co.uk – 07827 871723, or call in to the Exeter City football club reception to complete your entry form and to pay your £5 entry fee. 

Exeter City 

City left frustrated as Burton Albion strike late

Photo: Exeter City FC (via Twitter)

In a game of two halves, Exeter City were defeated by a late Burton Albion goal which halted the Grecians’ run of good form.

Following on from Tuesday’s draw at Oxford United and last week’s smashing of Scunthorpe United, hopes were high as Burton Albion travelled to St. James’ Park. In his programme notes, boss Paul Tisdale urged the supporters to turn SJP into a fortress, particularly following his side’s 3-0 loss to Hartlepool a fortnight ago.

Yet based on today’s performance it will take more than a few machine gun bursts of encouragement for a dynasty to be built, for the crowd were at best subdued and at worst deathly silent.

The first half certainly appeared to pass many of the Grecians by as Albion created chances early on, with Weir’s fifth minute strike the first attempt on goal. Even though it sailed harmlessly past Krysiak’s upright, it was certainly a sign of things to come from the visitors.

Indeed the Exeter number one was at his very best when leaping cat-like across his goal to turn aside Key’s wonderfully crafted shot from the edge of the box.

As the half wore on, Burton continued pressing impressively, with a string of corners that had to be defended admirably by the commanding presence of Baldwin at the back. He urged his team mates to press further up the pitch and on the half hour mark it was John O’Flynn, who latched onto a pin point ball from the impressive Davies, only to see his effort turned aside by Jordon Pickford in the Albion goal.

Whilst Albion demonstrated to the Grecians that passing not only looks pretty but frustrates the opposition, Tisdale’s side struggled to gain a foothold in midfield. With Parkin providing a target man, it proved too easy for Coles and Baldwin to launch aimless balls in his direction. Indeed, it was no surprise to see him replaced by fan favourite David Wheeler at half time.

Whether it was Wheeler’s introduction or a rousing half time speech by the second longest serving boss in the football league, City were a different side after the break. With Wheeler offering pace down the right and Gow taking up a more central attacking role, the chances began to arrive.

O’Flynn once again saw his drilled effort turned aside by the athletic Pickford, whilst Gow cutting in from the left hit his shot over the bar. Attacking the Big Bank, City continued to look for an opening, with successive corners being hastily defended by the visitors. It was a testament to Exeter’s attacking prowess that all Albion’s players defended their box from set pieces and corners.

However as legs tired, spaces were created in midfield, where Sercombe and Doherty had begun to establish a sense of order and Phillips’ rasping thirty yard shot was gloriously tipped over by Kyrsiak. Doherty himself was the victim of a nasty elbow to the face by Weir, which provoked a torrent of abuse from the stands and the games first yellow card, shortly followed by a rather cynical twist and pull on Kyrsiak by McDonald.

As the clock ticked into the final thirty minutes, it appeared Albion were happy to settle for the point, with the home supporters enraged at the time-wasting taking place. It could all have been so different had O’Flynn, once more receiving a through ball from Davies, managed to chip Pickford, yet the keeper spread himself wide and smothered the attempt.

The introduction of Grimes and Gill with 20 minutes left was ineffectual with neither looking likely to offer more than Doherty and the enigmatic O’Flynn, the most impressive attacking outlet for the Grecians.

Disaster was soon to strike though as with two minutes left of normal time, Danny Coles’ horribly sliced clearance lead to Burton piling men into the box. With the ball being whipped in by Hassey, Edwards rose higher than everyone else and his bullet like header thundered past Krysiak into the goal.

As the visitors ran towards their travelling support, Paul Tisdale looked like a man caught in the headlights of a speeding car. For once, his rousing words had not brought victory, but a point was snatched away from his fingertips by a simple set piece. St. James’ Park is not a fortress just yet.

Alex Whitington, Sports Team

City slump to despondent defeat against Hartlepool

Steve Bennett challenges for a ball. Photo credit: Steve Ayers

Paul Tisdale had on Thursday warned his Exeter City side “we can’t be complacent”, but it was a message seemingly ignored by his players as The Grecians slumped to a 3-0 defeat against a rampant Hartlepool United.

Following last weekend’s excellent win against local rivals Plymouth, there was always the danger that the Hartlepool game would be a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’, but surely not even the most pessimistic of the home fans would have predicted such a result.

From start to finish, Exeter were second best in every department; Hartlepool triumphed through goals from Jack Baldwin, Jack Compton and Luke James, but the truly frightening thing for the watching City fans was that, had it not been for some wasteful finishing, it could have been much worse.

Every time Hartlepool went forward, they looked likely to score, with the lightning pace of Compton and the 18 year-old James, who on this evidence could well make the step up to a higher level, particularly threatening. Indeed, James could well have had a hat-trick, dragging two good first half chances wide, but the fact was that it was his intelligent movement that had created these chances.

Exeter conspicuously lacked any such movement. 22-year-old defender Scott Bennett has done an admirable job filling in up front, but on this afternoon, he looked very much a centre back, whilst winger David Wheeler, one threatening run and cross aside, was so anonymous that he was substituted at half-time.

By that stage, Hartlepool were already 1-0 up, a clever short corner involving Simon Walton and Compton ending with the latter crossing for Baldwin to head home. This quality of delivery epitomised the difference between the two sides; whereas Hartlepool were able to stretch the City defence through a combination of incisive passing and the speed and trickery of James, Compton and James Poole, Exeter’s game plan seemed to revolve around the theory that if the ball was lumped into box enough times, eventually they would get lucky. It wasn’t quite Tony Pulis’ Stoke City, but it wasn’t far off either.

Alan Gow gets his head in. Photo credit: Steve Ayers

Improvement was sorely needed, yet Artur Kyrsiak in the home goal remained by far the busier of the keepers, doing well to hold onto shots from Compton, Poole and Matthew Dolan. City did threaten intermittently, and were unlucky not to score when Craig Woodman caused havoc with a dangerous cross that wasn’t initially cleared, but they failed to exert any pressure for a sustained period of time.

If the first period was a poor one for Exeter, then the second was truly woeful –it wasn’t until the 87^th minute that City mustered up their first shot on target, a tame header from Bennett, greeted inevitably with ironic cheers from the stands. Hartlepool were on the attack from the onset, and it wasn’t long until James was rewarded with the goal his performance deserved; a lovely chipped finish after another superb ball from Compton. Poole then blasted a long range effort wide before Compton made sure of the win with a drilled effort following another excellent cross to the back post.

As if it wasn’t clear enough that the game was over as a contest, James was then replaced by Jonathan Franks. His job was done, he had won his side the game. A number of the despondent home fans even stood up to applaud him. As the game slowly petered out, Poole probably should have made it four when he shot straight at Kyrsiak after another mazy run, but by that stage the gulf between the two sides was so evident that another goal was hardly necessary.

“I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen us outclassed so much in a game of football,” Tisdale admitted. For his own sake, and for Exeter’s, he had better hope that it is a long while until the next time he does.

Cillian Dunn, Sports Team

Xpression Sport: Devon Derby Commentary

Use the player below to listen back to commentary highlights from Xpression FM’s Dougie Wilson and James Beeson at yesterday’s Devon Derby, which was won by Exeter City 3-1 over Plymouth Argyle at St. James Park.

Police clashes following football derby tension

Image credit: Emma Crossey

Disruption surrounding today’s local football derby between Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle was met by a heavy police presence in the city.

Extra police officers, mounted police and riot vans were on patrol in the St James’ area from around 9am in order to prevent potential clashes and to protect local residents.

The match concluded with a 3-1 win for Exeter City over Plymouth Argyle. Over 1000 Plymouth fans were estimated to have attended the match which had a total attendance of 5,700.

Students who live in the St James area saw police line the streets in anticipation of the game’s end and position riot vans across the road in order to restrain the crowd when exiting the stadium.

Tension between residents and supporters resulted in some crowd members attempting to get through police barriers outside student houses.

Emma Crossey, a third year Flexible Combined Honours student who witnessed the clashes, said that the officers who restrained the supporters “dealt with the situation really well.”

She said: “The police were obviously expecting the match to result in some sort of trouble because they were lining the street before the end of the match. We thought the police were really good, especially in the face of pretty antagonistic behaviour.”

Tom Elliott, Online News Editor

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Varsity: Why not bring TP to SJP?

Photo credits: Niklas Rahmel

A record crowd turned out at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night to shout, chant and inevitably leave early at the sixth annual football varsity, raising money for the Cardiomyopathy Association and the Adam Stansfield Foundation.

A chill in the air and the threat of rain didn’t put off over 4,000 eager fans from filling the stands and the streets surrounding the stadium with various socials, an elaborate procession of fancy-dress clad fans leading the charge to support the Gown at SJP.

As always, the shouts, cheers and jeers could be heard from the bar beneath the Flybe stand. EURFC and the Netball club fought for vocal and bolting supremacy in the Centre Spot barm before piling in to the Big Bank to join the rest of the AU contingent, where the white shirts of EUAFC were already caught up in a shouting match with the cops and robbers themed rowers.

As kick-off drew nearer, the cheerleaders got the crowed warmed up for the festivities, the crowd’s excitement not letting up despite warnings on the loud speaker of the consequences of “entering the field of play”, referring to the record breaking seven and a half streakers from last year’s Varsity. It seemed the looser members of the crowd had prepared for this – crowd surfing, instead of pitch invasions, became a regular feature of the Big Bank stand.

The game kicked off with an electric atmosphere. 17 minutes in and City fired one into the back of the net, yet this could not break the unwavering support of the Uni massive.

After 21 minutes the crowd remained resolute despite another goal for the Grecians. However, when a third goal was fired in before the break, the inevitable happened.

In what appears to have become a sad tradition of the Football Varsity, before the first half was even up, the Big Bank was left practically empty, a sombre space that had once been occupied by the most raucous of University fans. The chants of various AU clubs subsided as the race began for the Timepiece queue and the first of many hard earned doubles.

Due to this exile from the more vocal members of the crowd, the atmosphere dropped as the first half limped over the line and the players headed down the tunnel. The second half began with a new found optimism that the University team could stage a dramatic comeback, a win that would go down in the history books and in Exeter folklore.

This was not the case. Nine minutes into the second half City blasted another one in and with it the last remaining fans out of the stands. Those who did leave missed a goal fest;  it was one-sided, but for the neutral fan it would have been a cracker.

One group of rugby boys returned to the stands and staged a comeback of their own, combining with the remaining EUAFC supporters and despite another brace of goals against the University they remained strong. This small group of blue and white shirts cheered on their team, responding to every slip, every call from the officials and every increasingly aggressive tackle with a chorus of jeers, boos and celebrations.

This small group of supporters were a reminder of what the Varsity could be like – despite the score, they remained cheering on and in doing so re-energised both players and fans alike.

I would like to end this piece with a plea to supporters of the Varsity in years to come. Resist the call of Timepiece, party in the stands, re-create the  hot, sweaty crush of top-top in the Big Bank. In doing so, the Football Varsity will become even greater than it already is; a unique, once-a-year party in SJP.

And who knows – with this support for the whole game, maybe one year the Gown will find that edge to finally overcome the Town.

Mike Stanton, Sport Editor