Match Preview - Exeter City v Rovers

30 September 2022

The Gas head to Devon this weekend to take on Exeter City in our latest test in Sky Bet League One.

Rovers head to St James Park on Saturday afternoon as we look to bounce back from last week's frustrating defeat to Accrington Stanley. Exeter, who joined Rovers and Forest Green Rovers in achieving automatic promotion from League Two last campaign have enjoyed a solid start to life in League One. Below is all the need-to-know information ahead of our clash in Devon!

Manager's Preview

Player Preview

Opposition View

Exeter City manager Matt Taylor, who was in attendance at The Mem last week during our narrow loss against Accrington Stanley, has given his thoughts ahead of Saturday's clash:

"The scoreline was only 1-0 but it was a very open game. We had fantastic seats really high up to get the full picture," Matt said.

"They've got a really strong squad just like last season. They score a lot of goals but don't keep a lot of clean sheets so will be looking for a lot of consistency. We will be looking for a positive outcome this weekend."

Previous Encounter

Familiar Faces

Rovers fans will be familiar with Jamal Blackman who now plies his trade with the Grecians, who he joined in the summer following his release from Championship side Huddersfield Town. Blackman signed for Rovers on a six-month loan deal in January 2020; regular custodian Anssi Jaakkola was out injured with a shoulder injury, leaving Jordi van Stappershoef and Alexis André Jr. as the only fit goalkeepers at the club. Jamal made his debut at The Mem three days later, in a 0–0 draw with Fleetwood Town. He featured ten times in the second half of the 2019–20 season as Rovers finished in 14th place.

Form Guide

The Grecians currently occupy 10th place in the League One standings, with a 14-point return from their 10 league games this season. Their last match, a 4-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers, saw Jevani Brown net a hat-trick after Sam Nombe had opened the scoring with just six minutes on the clock.

Last week's hat-trick hero Jevani Brown sits atop of Exeter's goalscoring charts, with six league goals to his name so far this campaign, whilst also setting up four goals for his teammates.

Exeter had lost two games in a row prior to last week's victory against Forest Green. Matt Taylor's side suffered a defeat against Shrewsbury Town before their somewhat shock defeat against Burton Albion on the 17th September.

Injury Update

Joey Barton has provided an update to fans on five first-team players ahead of our visit to Exeter City this weekend. For more information, please click HERE.

Ref Watch

Declan Bourne has been appointed as the match official for Saturday's clash in Devon. This season, referee Bourne has taken charge of two games in Sky Bet League One. The latest game he took charge of was Barnsley's 3-0 victory over Cambridge United two weeks ago. Bourne averages awarding 17.00 fouls per game in League One this season and also averages 5.00 yellow cards per game. He has shown a solitary red card in League One this season.

Betting Preview

EFL sponsors SkyBet have priced Rovers at 17/4 for the win on Saturday afternoon. Rovers can also be backed at 14/1 to win the game 1-0. On the goalscorer markets, Sylvester Jasper is priced at 16/1 to open the scoring in Devon, whilst Ryan Loft can be backed at 4/1 to score at any time throughout the clash.

Odds correct at the time of writing. To bet with SkyBet, please click HERE. Please bet responsibly.

How to Follow

Supporters based in the UK can purchase an audio match pass for £2.50. To find out more about iFollow, please click HERE.

Match Reports

Match Report - Exeter 2-2 Rovers

1 October 2022

Rovers bring a point back to BS7.

A late equaliser from Ryan Loft secured a point for Rovers in a game which saw four second-half goals.

Joey Barton made four changes to the side that took to the pitch against Accrington Stanley. Antony Evans, John Marquis, Jordan Rossiter and Luca Hoole were all recalled to the starting line-up in the place of Paul Coutts, Alfie Kilgour, Trevor Clarke and Harry Anderson.

The first effort at goal in the tie fell to Rovers. Aaron Collins picked the ball up inside the Exeter half and drove towards goal. As the Exeter defenders backed off the Rovers forward, options opened up for Aaron. John Marquis had pulled away from his marker but Aaron opted for the shot, which was hit well but zipped past the far post of former Rovers goalkeeper Jamal Blackman's goal.

The first half offered little in the way of other goalscoring opportunities with neither 'keeper being called into action. The sides exited the field at half time with the scores level.

Exeter started the second half strongly. A flurry of chances caused concern for Belshaw and the Rovers no.1 was relieved to see Stansfield's effort crucially deflected away from his goal.

Rovers took the lead just past the hour mark. Ryan Loft did well to pick out Aaron Collins, who clipped the ball towards the back post where Marquis was Johnny(Marquis)-on-the-spot to smash the ball into the back of the net to send the 1,200 Gasheads behind the goal crazy.

Exeter was awarded a controversial penalty with 20 minutes left to play. Antony Evans was adjudged to have pulled Jack Sparkes to the ground and referee Bourne was quick to point to the spot. Jevani Brown made no mistake with his spot kick, going hard and low to Belshaw's left to level the scores.

Exeter took the lead just past the 80-minute mark. A Rovers free-kick was cut out by the hosts and sent upfield where, after a communication mix-up, saw the ball bounce over Belshaw's head and left Sam Nombe with an empty net to tap into.

Rovers refused to lie down though. Joey Barton introduced Sylvester Jasper for Luke McCormick as the game's final stages drew closer. It proved to be an inspired substitution when the winger sent the ball into the box as the clock ticked to 93 minutes and Ryan Loft was on hand to head home the equaliser to secure a point for Rovers in Devon.

Next up for Joey Barton's side is the visit of Crystal Palace U21's to The Mem in our latest Papa Johns Trophy group stage encounter on Tuesday, 4th October (19:00pm).

EXETER CITY: Blackman, Caprice, Key, Sweeney, Hartridge, Sparkes, Harper, Collins, J.Brown, Nombe, Stansfield.

Subs: S.Brown, Borges, Chauke, Jay, Smith, Cox

BRISTOL ROVERS: Belshaw, Hoole, Thomas, Gordon, Finley (c), Marquis, Collins, Loft, McCormick, Evans, Rossiter.

Subs: Jaakkola, Whelan, Kilgour, Saunders, Coutts, Jasper, Clarke.

Referee: Declan Bourne

Attendance: 7,816 (1,232 away)

Ticket News

Ticket Info - Exeter City

25 August 2022

Ticket information for our Sky Bet League One clash against Exeter City in October.

Rovers travel to St. James Park on Saturday, 1st October (3pm KO).

The allocation for this fixture is 1,311 (960 terrace, 351 seated).

The club would like to remind fans that tickets ARE NOT available to purchase from the club shop on matchdays.

Online ticket sales will open to 2022/2023 Season Ticket holders, sponsors and Share Scheme members from 10am on Tuesday, 30th August. Please be aware, Season Ticket holders, sponsors and Share Scheme members are only permitted to purchase one ticket per membership.

Members (Club and Gold members, Helpline and Supporters Club members) will be able to purchase tickets online from 10am on Thursday, 1st September. Please note, members are only able to purchase one ticket per membership.

Subject to availability, general sale tickets will then be available online from 10am on Friday, 2nd September.

Ticket prices can be found below: