Next Up: Exeter City vs Leyton Orient

City’s impressive start to the season continued at Burton, the 1-0 win there sending Gary Caldwell’s side to the summit of the division due to Oxford’s defeat against Port Vale. Having been frustrated in only making one signing on deadline day, Caldwell managed to boost his ranks with the free transfer signing of Jack Fitzwater during the week, and the former Livingston defender could find himself thrust straight into the action on Saturday with the Finnish duo of Sinisalo and Niskanen being away representing their country and Dion Rankine having limped off early in the win at Burton.

Elsewhere Jack Aitchison should be fit to return from his clash with the advertising hoarding against Stevenage, while Admiral Muskwe is likely to be on the bench again as he seeks to gain match fitness.

Last season’s League Two champions, Leyton Orient were tipped to be the best of the promoted sides, although things haven’t quite gone according to plan as yet for Richie Wellens’ side albeit having played some of the sides tipped for success so far.

The Os make the long trip to Devon in 21st position and possessing a mirror record to that of City with a win, a draw and four defeats so far. Wellens himself will not be taking his place on the bench on Saturday as he serves the second match of a touchline ban following a red card against Stevenage. Of their summer signings probably the most noteworthy was that of Joe Pigott from Ipswich after he spent last season on loan at Portsmouth in this division.

City have a fine record at home in this fixture, their last defeat being a controversial 2-3 reverse in January 2001. The last time this fixture took place was in February 2022 where a Cheick Diabate goal right at the death sealed a 1-0 win, which was revenge for a 3-0 reverse at Brisbane Road where Drinan, Beckles and Archibald scored the goals in a match that saw Jonathan Grounds sent off. Those wins for either side maintained a level league head to head record with 33 wins apiece, 25 matches finishing level.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Ben Toner
Assistant Referees: Ollie Williams and Michael Webb
Fourth Official : Mark Derrien

Ben Toner has refereed Exeter City a number of times, the last time was last September when we beat MK Dons 1-0 at the Park with a Cheick Diabate goal.

Interviews follow after this advert break

Kevin Nicholson on the game

Interview with Pierce Sweeney