Western Morning News (Saturday)
Exeter face long jaunt to Carlisle
IT IS a near 700 mile round-trip facing Exeter City this weekend. But it is one that they are looking forward to - as much as they can when the Grecians take on Carlisle United today at Brunton Park as the promotion push continues.
City sit second in the League Two table, five points ahead of Northampton Town in fourth, and with a game in hand. It is just one defeat in 17 for Matt Taylor’s men, who are unbeaten in seven. Stretch that in Cumbria today and they will be a step closer to promotion.
Paul Simpson’s Cumbrians were in the relegation dogfight when the manager was re-appointed in February. But six wins in seven saw them pull away to the relative safe haven of 18th in the table and have all but avoided relegation, even if recent results have dropped off slightly with no win in the last two.
While Carlisle are an improved side from the one beaten 2-1 at St James Park, Taylor’s side will travel full of confidence, and with around 400 fans joining them on the long journey. City’s players will go via coach at 8am on Friday morning, stop off for an hour’s training in Birmingham, before resuming the journey north. It is a long one – but if they return with three points, it will be worth it.
Victory last weekend at Newport County means the Grecians need 17 points from the last seven to mathematically guarantee promotion. It is likely less will be needed, but three points in Cumbria will be the perfect start to the run-in.
“On the back of Saturday, we have digested the result and enjoyed the moment of winning the game,” Taylor said. “There is still such a large amount of football to be played this season, and that starts with this weekend. We have to enjoy the runin and the next month as it will be critical in terms of where we end up.
“We can’t put any extra pressure on us. Whether the league table does that or the opposition, or the expectation from the supporters. We know where we want to finish and how to get there but there are seven big games for us starting this weekend and lots of other football to be played elsewhere as well. The real pressure is fighting for your lives at the bottom of the table so we have to embrace it and enjoy it.”
After only having 17 available players at Rodney Parade last weekend, City welcome Nigel Atangana back from his suspension now his three-game ban is over, while Padraig Amond is also available after being ineligible due to the terms of his loan to face the Exiles.
None of the other injured players are likely to return, and there has been some illness in the camp this week, but it is not expected to rule anyone out of the trip. Jonathan Grounds is back training after his calf injury but Saturday’s game comes too soon for him to feature.
“We have no bodies back due to injury but Podge can play and Nigel’s suspension is finished,” Taylor added. “Jonathan Grounds trained today but Saturday is too soon to involve him, so we are a bit stronger but not a huge amount stronger. We have had a bit of illness but that is par for the course at the moment and that goes across the board.
“We have to make our journey and sacrifice worthwhile. The fans have been brilliant and shown spirit and been outstanding all season, and there is no bigger sacrifice than to get to Carlisle. We know the expense and the time, but they are going as they have something to believe in and the pride is there.
“They will go in full voice and we are expecting a big crowd. The players have to embrace it and enjoy it, as if you want to play football at a good level, you have to do so in front of people, and will do so for the final games of the season.”
Meanwhile, the Grecians have been given another 511 tickets or their potentially massive League Two clash at Northampton Town on Saturday, April 30.
The Grecians quickly sold out an initial allocation of 914 tickets for the game and requested more, but with both teams challenginmg for promotion, it looked unlikely.
Now, the Coblers have agreed to release a further batch to the Grecians, taking their allocation up to 1,425 which go on sale to priority members from 4pm on Monday. They are priced £22 adults, £18 for Over 65s and Under-21s and free for Under 7s.