Next Up: Away to Plymouth Argyle

Having had a week off thanks to the weather, Paul Tisdale’s goes into the Easter programme suitably refreshed ready to take on their arch-rivals in a vital Devon Derby with consequences at both ends of the table. One player hoping to have recovered enough to play will be Tom Doherty, and if the combative midfielder does make it onto the pitch City will have a welcome selection headache in their problem position of central midfield, as Lawson D’Ath marked his debut with a goal against Bradford and even more recent loan signing Anton Rodgers will hope to feature at some point. Jamie Cureton sat out the 4-1 thrashing of Bradford and the 20-goal striker will hope to reclaim his place, either alongside or at the expense of John O’Flynn.

With City having a fine season and entering the Easter period dreaming of automatic promotion, it has been easy to look at events down the A38 with more than a hint of schadenfreude, the Pilgrims enduring a wretched season and engulfed very much in a relegation fight that has seen them replace their manager at the turn of the year. John Sheridan took a while to turn things around, but recent results have given rise to much optimism, especially last weekend’s 2-0 win at Southend that cost former boss Paul Sturrock his job. Sheridan has made a number of loan signings, and one in particular, Jason Banton from Crystal Palace, has stood out with five goals in ten appearances so far. Sheridan is aware, though, that defeat on Saturday could see his side drop back into the relegation places.

With this match taking place on Easter Saturday, one cannot help but be reminded of Easter Saturday 20 years ago, a day that will live long in the memory of all of those who were in the away end that day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9N8mC1gpX8g

Sadly that remains the last time City won a league fixture at Home Park, although there was more recent success in the JPT in 10/11. That season Plymouth won the league fixture 2-0 with both goals coming from Bradley Wright-Phillips. This season’s reverse fixture ended 1-1, Liam Sercombe’s first half effort cancelled out in the second by Joe Lennox. Overall it’s the green mob who enjoy the head to head record in league fixtures, 24 wins to City’s 15 (with 20 draws).

Jason H

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2013/03/25/match-officials-plymouth-argyle-away/

Ground Guide: http://www.exeweb.com/2012/08/30/the-things-you-need-to-know-home-park/

In Numbers: http://www.exeweb.com/2013/03/27/plymouth-argyle-v-exeter-city-in-numbers/

Some changes to travel arrangements you need to be aware of. The official coaches are leaving Exeter earlier, read here. If you’re travelling by train from London, you need to be aware of the closure of Reading station, read here.