Next Up: Swindon Town v Exeter City

City wouldn’t be City without attempting to make life difficult, but having let slip a 2-0 lead a debut goal from substitute Will Hoskins was enough to ensure a winning start for Paul Tisdale’s side against Yeovil. A hectic start to the season continues with the first of three away matches in the space of a week with a Capital One Cup trip to Wiltshire to take on Mark Cooper’s Swindon. Tisdale is unlikely to make too many changes with Hoskins thought still to be fit only for cameos off the bench, although one or two youngsters may see some game time, such as Jamie Reid or Ollie Watkins. Jordan Moore-Taylor is unlikely to be considered ready to return so will have to be patient. Ryan Harley will no doubt have a point to prove as his spell at Swindon came to something of a sour end.

Having suffered playoff heartache last season, a somewhat new-look Swindon laid down a marker on the opening day by thrashing Bradford 4-1, so Cooper will be in a buoyant mood as he takes on a club where he spent several years as a player. Given what should, on paper at least, be a fairly comfortable tie, the Robins may be tempted to utilise their large squad with a few fringe players involved, although Nathan Byrne will be desperate to play to build on his hat-trick on Saturday. One player who will hope to feature is Anton Rodgers – the son of Liverpool boss Brendan spent some time on loan with City at the end of the 2012/13 season although, despite impressing personally, his two appearances saw City ship eight goals in heavy defeats to Rotherham and Chesterfield.

The last time the sides met was in the JPT in 2011/12 and produced something of a “shock” result as League Two Swindon, managed by Paolo Di Canio and having spent very big, emerged triumphant 2-1 at League One City – Jake Jervis put the visitors 2-0 up in the first half before Dan Nardiello reduced the arrears in the second half. The last time City visited the County Ground was the previous season, a very forgettable 0-0 draw as Swindon were eventually relegated. In fact, City haven’t lost away to Swindon since 1985, although this only represents a run of three matches! Overall in all competitions (according to Soccerbase) Swindon have a decent head-to-head lead with 39 wins to City’s 23 (26 draws), and haven’t lost a cup tie to City since the FA Cup in 1950/51.

Match Officials: http://www.exeweb.com/2015/08/10/match-officials-swindon-town-v-exeter-city/