Next Up: FC Halifax Town vs Exeter City. FA Cup

Having recorded successive victories for the first time this season with a thrilling 4-3 win over Arsenal’s youngsters in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, attention turns to the FA Cup on Saturday and a potential banana skin. Although Gary Caldwell made nine changes to his starting line-up against Arsenal, with just Pierce Sweeney and the ever-present Ilmari Niskanen having started the Devon Derby win, there was plenty of strength on display on Tuesday with a number of regulars playing, with some hopeful that their displays will lead to more game time going forward. Sil Swinkels made his first senior appearance since his layoff, while the likes of Jack Aitchison and Ed Francis will hope to regain a regular place starting with the trip to Halifax. One player who probably groaned when the draw was made was Andrew Oluwabori, ineligible to face his former side as he’s out on loan at Yeovil where he in any case played in the Glovers’ 4th qualifying round defeat. Caldwell will no doubt have spoken to his player to get an inside view of the Shaymen ahead of Saturday’s tie, as City look to emulate last season’s memorable run which saw them reach the 4th round for the first time since the epic 1981 cup run before going out on penalties to Nottingham Forest.

Halifax have, for several seasons, been on the fringes of the promotion race having reached the playoffs in three out of the last four seasons, and are currently just outside the playoff places in 8th place in the National League. Chris Millington departed in the summer and Adam Lakeland is in charge, having moved from Kings Lynn Town to take up the role. He raided his former club with several signings, including top scorer Josh Hmami (six league goals), while another summer signing, David Kawa (four) hasn’t featured since scoring in a 4-0 win over Brackley at the beginning of October. Halifax had a tricky tie in the fourth qualifying round with a trip to National League North side Southport, but emerged with a 3-1 win.

Saturday marks the first time the sides will have met – and before people start scratching their heads and reminiscing about visits to The Shay of old, it’s worth remembering that Halifax Town FC sadly folded in the summer of 2008 and the current iteration, FC Halifax Town, formed as a “Phoenix club” in their place. City and the old Halifax were regular foes, meeting 40 times in league fixtures (City 18, Halifax 12, 10 draws) up to 2008 but Saturday marks the first ever cup tie between City and either Halifax club.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Andrew Miller
Assistant Referees: Wayne Grunnill and Jack Nield
Fourth Official: Paul Newhouse

The County Durham based referee, Andrew Miller, has refereed in the National League since the 2016/17 season where is first game was Barrow vs Aldershot. He’s never taken charge of an Exeter game, though his Dad Nigel Miller has done so. He’s taken charge of six games so far this season, showing 23 yellow cards and sending off one player.

Gary Caldwell’s preview

Interview with Jack Fitzwater