Exeter City stormed into the fourth round of the FA Cup, responding to an early Oxford City goal to win 3-1. The Grecians took the opportunity of facing a much-changed Oxford side to upset the Championship team and reach the fourth round for the first time in 44 years.
Despite an early goal from Dane Scarlett to put the visitors ahead, a Demetri Mitchell brace before half time sent Exeter into the break with the lead. A Vincent Harper dagger for the hosts was enough to put the game out of reach, which was only further confirmed by Tyler Goodrham’s sending off in the 81st minute for elbowing Exeter midfielder Jake Richards.
The result was without a doubt the highlight of what has so far been a difficult season for Gary Caldwell’s side. Sitting in the bottom half of League One, the Grecians have had little to write home about for most of the year.
But the win over Oxford could be the beginning of a change in fortunes for Exeter, as they’ve been given a home tie against this seasons unlikely Premier League highflyers Nottingham Forest, to be played on the evening of Tuesday 11th February in the next round.
It will no doubt be tough to break down Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who at the time of writing sit third in the Premier League. But last season’s 1-0 victory over Luton Town in the Carabao Cup shows the Grecians have no reason to fear top-flight opposition.
There will also be a number of benefits that come from the club’s biggest game of the past few years taking place at home. In today’s world of no replays for drawn FA cup matches, it’s critical that lower league sides get home ties against bigger clubs to turn the increased interest into increased revenue from gate receipts.
In today’s world of no replays for drawn FA cup matches, it’s critical that lower league sides get home ties against bigger clubs to turn the increased interest into increased revenue from gate receipts
One of the other ties to take place in the third round was National league side Tamworth playing host to the Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur. The game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, but had there been a replay, as was the custom up until this year, Tamworth would have financially benefitted massively from the day out to Tottenham. Instead, the game went to extra-time, where an understandably better equipped Tottenham were able to score three goals and win the game, knocking Tamworth out in the process.
In 2005, Exeter travelled to Old Trafford in the third round of the FA Cup, scraping a 0-0 draw against Manchester United and guaranteeing a televised replay at St James Park. The revenue from the replay was enough to wipe the club’s debts and build the club into what we know today.
The League One side will unquestionably be hoping to reap the benefits of the home tie in the long term, alongside using it on the day to try and propel themselves into the latter stages England’s premier cup competition.
Exeter City’s match against Nottingham Forest will take place at St James Park on Tuesday 11th February, and will be shown live on ITV1.
