All you need to know and more ahead of Devon trip
Exeter City v Luton Town
Sky Bet League 2
Saturday 19th December 2015, kick-off 3pm
Live commentary on Hatters Player
• Andy Awford in caretaker charge
• Jake Howells named in the squad
• Town lost last four matches
• Hatters not won since 14th November
• Exeter unbeaten six in all competitions
• Grecians lost once at home this season
WHO? The Town take on Exeter City, aka the Grecians next Saturday. The club were formed in 1904 go and are currently in their fourth season in League 2 following relegation in 2011/12. Like the Hatters, the Grecians spent five years in the Conference and ended their spell in the fifth tier by beating Cambridge in the Play-Offs final at Wembley in 2008.
WHERE? The ground that is often confused with Newcastle’s St James’ Park – Exeter’s hasn’t got an apostrophe at the end of their James – was built in 1904 and opened in September that year. Its current capacity is 8,541 and its record attendance was 20,984 when Sunderland visited for an FA Cup quarter-final replay in 1931.
TICKET NEWS. Hatters fans reading this in enough time can buy in advance from the Luton Town ticket office but tickets go off sale at 2pm Friday. However supporters can purchase tickets on the day at St James Park with terrace and seating available, subject to availability. Click here for further information and prices.
HOW TO GET THERE. From Luton, take the M1 south, M25 anti-clockwise. Take the M4 and then M5 south, leaving the M5 at Junction 30, following signs for Exeter city centre along Sidmouth Road (A379) and then onto Rydon Lane (A3015). Take the Sidmouth Road turn off (B3183) towards the city centre. Keep going towards the town centre as the road becomes Heavitree Road. On nearing the city centre, take the fourth exit at the large roundabout onto Western Way. At the next roundabout take the second exit onto Old Tiverton Road, then turn left into St James Road for the ground. There is street parking, but quite a way from the ground as there is a local residents’ scheme in operation. If you have a satnav, safely type in EX4 6PX in to it to get you there.
ON THE BOBBERS. It’s a three-and-a-half, 213-mile drive to Exeter but if you’d rather somebody else take you there why not travel with fellow Town fans on the Bobbers? They depart Luton train station bright and early at 8.30am and the fare is £33 for adults and £30 for concessions. Call 01234 856542 to book your place.
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? The Town hold a decent record against the Grecians overall, winning 31 of the 60 previous meetings, which includes 12 matches (W6, L6) in the Southern League. The Hatters have drawn 13 and lost 16. The Hatters don’t have a bad record at St James Park, winning 12, losing 11 and drawing eight of their 31 previous trips to Exeter. The Town have won two and drawn two of their last four games away at Exeter, winning 5-0 in 1967 and 1-0 in 2008. Last season the Town drew 1-1 at St James Park with Scott Griffiths on target.
THIS TIME ROUND. The Grecians currently sit six places and four points above the Town League 2 going into Saturday’s game. Paul Tisdale’s side have only lost one of their 10 games on home soil this season – to Wycombe back in September. Exeter are unbeaten in their last six matches which includes a 2-0 win over Port Vale in the FA Cup. Their reward for that victory is a home third round draw against Liverpool. However, City are also decent on the road, and have won at Plymouth, Mansfield and Portsmouth.
TOWN TEAM NEWS. The Hatters go into the game with Andy Awford in caretaker charge following the departure of John Still on Thursday. Awford will have Jake Howells to pick from after being placed back in the Town squad. The Town are likely to have a similar group of players on duty that were involved against Northampton last week.
REF WATCH. Andy Davies takes charge of Saturday’s game. The Hampshire official has shown 65 yellow cards and sent three players off in his 17 matches so far this season. Not since the Town’s 3-1 win at home to Dagenham last season has he overseen a match involving the Hatters. Last weekend he was the man-in-the-middle in a goalless draw between Charlton and Leeds.
LIVE AND ONLINE. As ever, we’ll be reporting live from St James Park. Build-up starts at midday, so get on our early blog on the Wall for all the latest updates.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for photos, videos and all the behind-the-scenes action. Hatters Player subscribers will be able to listen to live commentary from just before 3pm with Simon Pitts in the press box.
Post-match, remember to check out the official website, YouTube channel and Player for reports, interviews and photographs and don’t forget to tune in from midday on Sunday for all the highlights in glorious HD!