Loading AI tools
The 2016–17 season was Exeter City's 115th year in existence and their fifth consecutive season in League Two.[1] Along with competing in League Two, the club also participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy. Exeter finished the season in 5th place, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. In September, Exeter City broke their all-time record for consecutive home league losses by losing their first five home matches of the season.[2] Exeter City did not record their first league win at their home ground St James Park until mid-December, after 10 attempts.[3] A dramatic upturn in form saw the team rise from the bottom of the league table to a high of 4th. From 31 December 2016 to 4 February 2017, Exeter won all seven of their fixtures, with David Wheeler scoring in each match. With this feat, he equalled and then broke records set by Henry Poulter, Roderick Williams and Alan Beer. Two other records were broken this season because no Exeter City team had ever won seven league games in a row (during the same season).[4] Exeter City also broke their record for most away wins in the league within one season, after their twelfth away triumph at Mansfield Town on 1 April.[5] This season was first in which City qualified for the promotion play-offs in League Two since their relegation from League One in 2012.[6] Exeter overcame Carlisle United to qualify for the play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley.[7] Blackpool beat Exeter 2–1 in the play-off final to earn promotion to the 2017–18 EFL League One.[8]
| 2016–17 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owner | Exeter City Supporters' Trust | |||
| Chairman | Julian Tagg | |||
| Manager | Paul Tisdale | |||
| Stadium | St James Park | |||
| League Two | 5th (Lost play-off final) | |||
| FA Cup | Knocked out in First Round by Luton Town | |||
| EFL Cup | Knocked out in Second Round by Hull City | |||
| EFL Trophy | Knocked out in Southern Group C (3rd place) | |||
| Top goalscorer | League: David Wheeler (19 goals) All: David Wheeler (21 goals) | |||
| Highest home attendance | 7,450 vs. Carlisle United | |||
| Lowest home attendance | 729 vs. Swindon Town | |||
| Average home league attendance | 4,300 | |||
|
| ||||
| All statistics correct as of 28 May 2017. | ||||
The season covered the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.
Transfers in
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2016 | CB |  | Troy Archibald-Henville | Carlisle United | Free transfer | [9] |
| 1 July 2016 | DM |  | Lloyd James | Leyton Orient | Free transfer | [10] |
| 1 July 2016 | CF |  | Liam McAlinden | Wolverhampton Wanderers | Free transfer | [11] |
| 1 July 2016 | CF | | Robbie Simpson | Cambridge United | Free transfer | [10] |
| 28 July 2016 | CB | | Pierce Sweeney | Free agent | Free transfer | [12] |
| 13 September 2016 | CF | | Reuben Reid | Free agent | Free transfer | [13] |
| 21 February 2017 | CF | | Ryan Swan | Free agent | Free transfer | [14] |
Transfers out
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Fee | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2016 | LM | | Arron Davies | Accrington Stanley | Free transfer | [15] |
| 1 July 2016 | CF | | Will Hoskins | Free agent | Released | [16] |
| 1 July 2016 | CB |  | Jamie McAllister | Bristol City[lower-alpha 1] | Free transfer | [17] |
| 1 July 2016 | CF | | Clinton Morrison | Redditch United[lower-alpha 2] | Released | [16] |
| 1 July 2016 | RW | | Alex Nicholls | Barnet | Free transfer | [19] |
| 1 July 2016 | CM | | David Noble | St Albans City | Free transfer | [20] |
| 1 July 2016 | CM | | Emmanuel Oyeleke | Aldershot Town[lower-alpha 3] | Released | [22] |
| 1 July 2016 | CM | | Jason Pope | Weston-super-Mare[lower-alpha 4] | Released | [16] |
| 1 July 2016 | RB | | Christian Ribeiro | Oxford United | Free transfer | [24] |
Loans in
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | From | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 August 2016 | CM | | Jack Stacey | Reading | 30 June 2017 | [25][26] |
| 31 August 2016 | CB | | Luke Croll | Crystal Palace | 30 June 2017 | [27][28] |
Loans out
| Date from | Position | Nationality | Name | To | Date until | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 July 2016 | CF |  | Jamie Reid | Torquay United | 30 June 2017 | [29][30] |
| 17 January 2017 | CB | | Toby Down | Weymouth | 17 February 2017 | [31] |
| 1 February 2017 | LB | | Connor Riley-Lowe | Truro City | 1 March 2017 | [32] |
| 10 February 2017 | CM | | Alex Byrne | Truro City | 10 March 2017 | [33] |
On 19 May 2016, seven friendlies were announced on the club website. The majority were played against non-league West Country teams, but City also played Bristol Rovers, Burton Albion and a Cardiff City XI, the former of League One and the latter two of the Championship.[34] City won all seven of the pre-season friendlies, conceding only two goals.
| 8 July 2016 Friendly | Weymouth | 0–2 | Exeter City | Weymouth |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Moore-Taylor  44'Simpson 72' |
Stadium: Bob Lucas Stadium Attendance: 441 |
| 16 July 2016 Friendly | Exeter City | 2–0 | Bristol Rovers | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Holmes 7' Watkins 37' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,247 |
| 19 July 2016 Friendly | Bodmin Town | 0–4 | Exeter City | Bodmin |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Simpson 8' Harley 27'Taylor 28'Egan 73' |
Stadium: Priory Park Referee: Simon Long |
| 21 July 2016 Friendly | Truro City | 1–2 | Exeter City | Truro |
| 19:45 BST | Crago 45+4' |
Report | Reid 45+5' McAlinden 88' |
Stadium: Treyew Road Attendance: 273 |
| 22 July 2016 Friendly | Exeter City | 1–0 | Burton Albion | Exeter |
| 19:30 BST | Watkins 56' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 768 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
| 26 July 2016 Friendly | Taunton Town | 1–2 | Exeter City | Taunton |
| 19:45 BST | Veal 77' |
Wheeler 45' Riley-Lowe 60' |
Stadium: Viridor Stadium Attendance: 562 |
| 28 July 2016 Friendly | Exeter City | 3–0 | Cardiff City XI | Exeter |
| 19:30 BST | Holmes 28' Simpson 52', 65' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,166 Referee: Brendan Malone |
League Two
Season summary
August
Exeter City began the season with an away fixture against Blackpool, which resulted in a 2–0 loss for the Grecians.[35] Then followed two consecutive home fixtures, both of which the Grecians went on to lose. Against Hartlepool United, City were up 1–0 at half-time thanks to a 31st-minute goal from Liam McAlinden, but conceded two goals within just two minutes in the final half-hour to lose 2–1.[36] The Grecians also went down to a late goal four days later versus Crawley Town, when Josh Yorwerth scored in the 83rd minute. After these three opening losses, City were bottom of the table.[37] Up next was a trip to Accrington Stanley, where the Grecians won their first league match thanks to two goals in a frantic six minutes in the second half. Ryan Harley opened the scoring for Exeter in the 66th minute before Arron Davies (who left Exeter City in the summer after his contract expired) equalised four minutes later. City were very quickly back ahead when Jake Taylor scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute.[38] The Grecians lost their final August fixture at home to promotion-chasing Portsmouth because of an 85th-minute penalty, but City again failed to take their chances. City scored only three goals in August, picking up a mere three points from five matches. The Grecians sat in the relegation zone at 23rd place, ahead only of Cambridge United.[39]
September
Exeter City's first fixture of September was a tit-for-tat match away at Colchester United. Robbie Simpson scored his first and only league goal since signing in the summer to open the scoring. However City were 2–1 down at half-time, but goals from Ollie Watkins and Joel Grant sealed a narrow win for the Grecians, their second of the season in League Two.[40] City's next match was at Crewe Alexandra and lost this game 2–0 to goals either side of half-time.[41] Then followed the Devon Derby against rivals Plymouth Argyle which City also lost 2–0 with both goals coming early on in the game, causing Exeter to slip back into the relegation zone.[42] Exeter City bounced back out of relegation zone by picking up their third win of the 2016–17 League Two season away at Stevenage with two quickfire goals in the second half from Lee Holmes and Ollie Watkins.[43] City's miserable start to the season was made worse by a record-breaking streak of home losses. After a 2–0 loss at home to Notts County in which the opposition scored two early goals much like Plymouth Argyle a week earlier, the Grecians had lost every one of their first five home matches. However, the two wins away from home that month saw City out of the relegation zone, finishing the month's action in 22nd place.[44]
October
The Grecians fared slightly better in October despite an opening 1–0 away loss at Wycombe Wanderers after a late goal from Adebayo Akinfenwa.[45] City finally picked up their first point at home on 8 October with a goalless draw with Grimsby Town in which goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik didn't feature on the starting line-up for only the second time in over 50 league matches.[46] Instead, Christy Pym featured in goal and would stay in the starting lineup for months to come. In contrast to the Grecians' poor start to the season, City thumped Barnet 4–1 in the following fixture away from home. The League Two top scorer at the time John Akinde opened the scoring for the opposition before Jake Taylor equalized just before half-time. After the break, City scored another three goals while former Grecian Alex Nicholls failed to find the back of net.[47] Despite this heavy win, City once again lost at home the following week to Cambridge United to two early goals, with Joel Grant scoring a consolation goal towards the end of the match.[48] Like their previous away fixture, the Grecians picked up another strong win at Morecambe, with first-half goals from David Wheeler, Joel Grant and Lee Holmes. By the end of October, the Grecians had earned 16 points, 15 of these away from home and stood at 19th in the league table, six points below the play-off places and one point above the relegation zone.[49]
November
The Grecians' first league game of the month was a 3–1 loss to Doncaster Rovers. Reuben Reid opened the scoring in the 51st minute by converting a penalty kick but City conceded three goals in the final twenty minutes of the match, subsequently dropping back into the relegation zone.[50] Exeter City also threw away a result the following week at Carlisle United, going behind in stoppage time to lose 3–2. Reid again opened the scoring, after only 40 seconds, but Charlie Wyke equalized. Lee Holmes then regained the lead for Exeter after 54 until Shaun Miller equalized in the 89th minute. Wyke scored the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time. After two consecutive losses, the Grecians were bottom of the table for the first time since mid-August.[51] City escaped from the drop zone the following Tuesday after their sixth away league win of the season, at Leyton Orient. The Grecians won 1–0 after a first-half Ollie Watkins goal. Orient manager Alberto Cavasin was sacked soon after this match[52] City stayed in 21st after earning only their second point at home after a 0–0 draw against Luton Town.[53]
December
After elimination from the FA Cup, the Grecians did not have a fixture for the first Saturday of December. City's first match was away at Cheltenham Town, which was won 3–1, seeing the Grecians rise to 17th in the league table.[54] Exeter City won a home match in the league for the first time that season the following week against Mansfield Town, with Ollie Watkins scoring both goals.[55] The Grecians drew 0–0 at Yeovil Town in their Boxing Day fixture.[56] New Year's Eve saw Exeter City beat Newport County 4–1 at Rodney Parade. Ollie Watkins scored his first hat-trick in professional football, the first hat-trick any Exeter City player had scored in the league since 1993. This result meant City finished the year at 11th place in the league table.[57]
January
City began the year with a 4–0 thrashing of Leyton Orient where Ryan Harley scored a brace shortly after returning from injury. This win extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, seeing the Grecians rise from 24th in the league to 11th in that time.[58] City were without a match on Saturday 7 January due to their fixture against Wycombe Wanderers being postponed because of the Chairboys' involvement in the third round of the FA Cup. After the few fixtures that took place that day, City dropped to 12th in the league table. The Grecians bounced back up the table with a 3–0 win at Grimsby Town, with Ollie Watkins, David Wheeler and Reuben Reid scoring their 10th, 9th and 5th goals of the season respectively.[59] City won 3–0 again the following week, this time at home to Colchester United. Reid, Wheeler and Liam McAlinden scored while Ollie Watkins gained a hat-trick of assists. After this result, the Grecians rose to 9th in the League Table, only one point off the play-offs.[60] Exeter City climbed into 7th place in the league table, the final play-off spot, after a 1–0 win away at Portsmouth, whom were also promotion contenders.[61] City again triumphed over a fellow play-off contender by beating Wycombe Wanderers 4–2, moving up to fourth place.[62]
February
The Grecians carried their excellent form into February with a 4–0 thrashing of Crewe Alexandra with David Wheeler breaking the all-time Exeter City record for consecutive matches scored in after his brace, meaning he had scored seven matches in a row. Jordan Moore-Taylor and Lloyd James also scored in the match. City were then only four points behind third-placed Carlisle United. Exeter City also won seven consecutive matches in the league (within a single season) for the first time.[63] Exeter's unbeaten run was ended by rivals Plymouth Argyle in a 3–0 drubbing at Home Park. This was the Grecians' heaviest defeat of the season so far and the club dropped to 5th in the league table.[64] Exeter dropped further down the league table to 6th after losing a 2–0 lead at 90 minutes to draw 2–2 at Notts County. Jake Taylor was sent off in the 87th minute.[65] City drew again in their next game at home against Stevenage, with Reuben Reid equalizing early in the second half.[66] Yet another draw was to follow the next game at home against Blackpool, where City fought back after finding themselves 2–0 down after 39 minutes.[67] This stretched their home unbeaten run to 8 matches. City ended their winless streak with a 2–1 victory over Crawley Town on Shrove Tuesday, their 11th away league victory of the season.[68]
March
City had a very poor start to the month after losing 3–1 to relegation-threatened Hartlepool United. Much like the reverse fixture back in August, Exeter forfeited a 1–0 half-time lead. Subsequently, the Reds dropped to 7th.[69] Exeter's promotion hopes were dealt another blow after a second consecutive loss to a bottom-half side, this time Accrington Stanley who beat City 2–0.[70] Despite only gaining 6 points from 7 matches, City remained in the play-off qualification places. The Reds bounced back with a 3–0 win against Cheltenham Town on 14 March with Reuben Reid netting twice.[71] Despite gaining a credible away draw the following weekend at Luton Town, Exeter's position in the play-off places was made even more precarious by wins for Blackpool and Mansfield Town.[72] The Grecians pulled off an incredible comeback to draw 3–3 against Yeovil Town despite being 3–0 down after 87 minutes, with Wheeler, Brown and Reid rescuing the team from dropping out of the play-off places.[73]
April
City pulled off another stunning comeback the following Saturday, this time at Mansfield Town after going 1–0 down before half-time. The Reds won 2–1 thanks to goal in the 84th minute from Ryan Harley and a 97th-minute spot-kick which was converted by Reuben Reid.[74] There was to be no come-back the following week as Newport County successfully defended their 1–0 lead to move closer to League Two survival, while the Grecians remained in 6th as other results went their way.[75] Exeter returned to winning ways with a victory against Barnet on Good Friday. Moore-Taylor and Wheeler both scored with the first six minutes and City held on their lead despite a second-half goal from John Akinde.[76] City lost on Easter Monday at Cambridge thanks to a first-half goal from Leon Legge. At this point in the season with 3 matches remaining, there was a mere 6-point gap between 4th place and 13th place in the league table and City were precariously only 3 points above 13th despite sitting in 6th.[77] Exeter increased their cushion over 8th place to 3 points with a 3–1 win over Morecambe at home. David Wheeler scored his 18th goal of the season in what was yet another thrilling late surge of goalscoring by the Grecians.[78] City assured qualification to the playoffs on 29 April after a 3–1 away victory over then-leaders Doncaster Rovers with goals from Moore-Taylor, Wheeler and McAlinden. Former Grecian James Coppinger netted for Doncaster.[6]
May
In a repeat of their reverse fixture back in November, City surrendered a 2–1 lead to lose 2–3 to Carlisle United. The Cumbrians netted two spot-kicks in this match, a result which earned them 6th-place in the league table and meant Exeter and Carlisle would face off in the League Two promotion play-offs.[79]
In the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Carlisle, the teams played out a 3–3 draw. City opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Grant scored a header, but were pegged back a quarter of an hour later after an own goal by Moore-Taylor. Just before half-time, Harley scored to give City back the lead. Wheeler scored after 56 minutes to extend Exeter's lead to 3–1. Carlisle then scored two goals in two minutes to bring the score to 3–3. Joel Grant finished the match with a goal and two assists.[80]
The second leg saw a very late winner for Exeter, scored by loanee Jack Stacey. City had gone 2–0 up with both goals scored by Ollie Watkins in the 10th and 79th minutes, but Carlisle scored twice in the final ten minutes of normal time to make it 2–2. Jack Stacey then scored his first goal for Exeter in the 95th minute to send the Grecians to Wembley.[7]
Blackpool overcame Exeter in the play-off final, starting the game very well by scoring in the 2nd minute through Brad Potts. David Wheeler then equalised after 40 minutes and the first half finished 1–1. Mark Cullen scored the winning goal for Blackpool in the 64th minute.[8]
League table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Doncaster Rovers (P) | 46 | 25 | 10 | 11 | 85 | 55 | +30 | 85 | Promotion to EFL League One |
| 4 | Luton Town | 46 | 20 | 17 | 9 | 70 | 43 | +27 | 77 | Qualification for League Two play-offs[lower-alpha 1] |
| 5 | Exeter City | 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 75 | 56 | +19 | 71 | |
| 6 | Carlisle United | 46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 69 | 68 | +1 | 71 | |
| 7 | Blackpool (O, P) | 46 | 18 | 16 | 12 | 69 | 46 | +23 | 70 |
Updated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winners; (P) Promoted
Notes:
- Four teams play for one spot and promotion to EFL League One
Results summary
Note: does not include play-off matches.
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 46 | 21 | 8 | 17 | 75 | 56 | +19 | 71 | 8 | 5 | 10 | 36 | 29 | +7 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 39 | 27 | +12 |
Last updated: 6 May 2017.
Source: BBC Sport
Results by round
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A | H |
| Result | L | L | L | W | L | W | L | L | W | L | L | D | W | L | W | L | L | W | D | W | W | D | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | L | D | D | D | W | L | L | W | D | D | W | L | W | L | W | W | L |
| Position | 21 | 23 | 24 | 23 | 23 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 20 | 22 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 23 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 21 | 21 | 17 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Updated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source: BBC Match result pages
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Matches
On 22 June 2016, the fixtures for the 2016–17 season were announced.[81]
August
| 6 August 2016 1 | Blackpool | 2–0 | Exeter City | Blackpool |
| 15:00 BST | Vassell 20' Brown 52' (o.g.) |
Report | Stadium: Bloomfield Road Attendance: 3,754 Referee: John Brooks |
| 13 August 2016 2 | Exeter City | 1–2 | Hartlepool United | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | McAlinden 31' |
Report | Woods 74' Paynter 75' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,322 Referee: Mark Heywood |
| 16 August 2016 3 | Exeter City | 0–1 | Crawley Town | Exeter |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Yorwerth 83' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 2,660 Referee: Lee Collins |
| 20 August 2016 4 | Accrington Stanley | 1–2 | Exeter City | Accrington |
| 15:00 BST | Davies 70' |
Report | Harley 66' Taylor 72' |
Stadium: Crown Ground Attendance: 1,300 (111 away) Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 27 August 2016 5 | Exeter City | 0–1 | Portsmouth | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Roberts 85' (pen.) |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,512 Referee: Gavin Ward |
September
| 3 September 2016 6 | Colchester United | 2–3 | Exeter City | Colchester |
| 15:00 BST | Szmodics 13' Guthrie 38' |
Report | Simpson 8' Watkins 51'Grant 67' |
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium Attendance: 3,364 (255 away) Referee: Darren Deadman |
| 10 September 2016 7 | Crewe Alexandra | 2–0 | Exeter City | Crewe |
| 15:00 BST | Kiwomya 23' Hollands 87' |
Report | Stadium: Gresty Road Attendance: 3,896 Referee: Robert Jones |
| 17 September 2016 8 | Exeter City | 0–2 | Plymouth Argyle | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Carey 6' Garita 26' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 6,612 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 24 September 2016 9 | Stevenage | 0–2 | Exeter City | Stevenage |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Holmes 70' Watkins 71' |
Stadium: Broadhall Way Attendance: 2,244 Referee: Ollie Yates |
| 27 September 2016 10 | Exeter City | 0–2 | Notts County | Exeter |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Stead 3', 34' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,081 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
October
| 1 October 2016 11 | Wycombe Wanderers | 1–0 | Exeter City | High Wycombe |
| 15:00 BST | Akinfenwa 85' |
Report | Stadium: Adams Park Attendance: 3,297 Referee: Nick Kinseley |
| 8 October 2016 12 | Exeter City | 0–0 | Grimsby Town | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,557 Referee: John Brooks |
| 15 October 2016 13 | Barnet | 1–4 | Exeter City | Canons Park, London |
| 15:00 BST | Akinde 11' |
Report | Taylor 43' Holmes 50'Wheeler 56'Reid 81' (pen) |
Stadium: The Hive Attendance: 1,640 (360 away) Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 22 October 2016 14 | Exeter City | 1–2 | Cambridge United | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Grant 73' |
Report | Berry 7' Dunk 10' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,485 Referee: Robert Jones |
| 29 October 2016 15 | Morecambe | 0–3 | Exeter City | Morecambe |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Wheeler 4' Grant 16'Holmes 35' |
Stadium: Globe Arena Attendance: 1,302 (153 away) Referee: Ben Toner |
November
| 12 November 2016 16 | Exeter City | 1–3 | Doncaster Rovers | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Reid 51' (pen.) |
Report | Mandeville 72' Marquis 77', 90' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,540 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 19 November 2016 17 | Carlisle United | 3–2 | Exeter City | Carlisle |
| 15:00 GMT | Wyke 9', 90+7' Miller 89' |
Report | Reid 1' Holmes 54' |
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 5,058 Referee: Ross Joyce |
| 22 November 2016 18 | Leyton Orient | 0–1 | Exeter City | Leyton, London |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Watkins 26' |
Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 2,926 (316 away) Referee: Tim Robinson |
| 26 November 2016 19 | Exeter City | 0–0 | Luton Town | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,823 Referee: Chris Kavanagh |
December
| 10 December 2016 20 | Cheltenham Town | 1–3 | Exeter City | Cheltenham |
| 15:00 GMT | Waters 70' |
Report | Holmes 55' Wheeler 81', 85' |
Stadium: Whaddon Road Attendance: 3,113 (678 away) Referee: Darren England |
| 17 December 2016 21 | Exeter City | 2–0 | Mansfield Town | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Watkins 19', 90' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,626 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
| 26 December 2016 22 | Yeovil Town | 0–0 | Exeter City | Yeovil |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Stadium: Huish Park Attendance: 6,086 (1,359 away) Referee: Tim Robinson |
| 31 December 2016 23 | Newport County | 1–4 | Exeter City | Newport, Wales |
| 15:00 GMT | Rigg 81' |
Report | Watkins 45+1', 47', 90+5' Wheeler 53' |
Stadium: Rodney Parade Attendance: 2,663 Referee: Darren Deadman |
January
| 2 January 2017 24 | Exeter City | 4–0 | Leyton Orient | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Wheeler 4' Harley 50', 65' (pen.)McAlinden 82' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,537 Referee: Michael Salisbury |
| 7 January 2017 25 | Exeter City | Postponed | Wycombe Wanderers | |
| 15:00 GMT |
| 14 January 2017 26 | Grimsby Town | 0–3 | Exeter City | Cleethorpes |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Reid 41' Wheeler 59'Watkins 80' |
Stadium: Blundell Park Attendance: 5,009 (245 away) Referee: Ben Toner |
| 21 January 2017 27 | Exeter City | 3–0 | Colchester United | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Reid 20' Wheeler 77'McAlinden 89' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,114 Referee: Robert Lewis |
| 28 January 2017 28 | Portsmouth | 0–1 | Exeter City | Portsmouth |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Wheeler 57' |
Stadium: Fratton Park Attendance: 17,195 (1,010 away) Referee: Dean Whitestone |
| 31 January 2017 25 | Exeter City | 4–2 | Wycombe Wanderers | Exeter |
| 19:45 GMT | Wheeler 19' Brown 65'Grant 67'Watkins 90+5' |
Report | Thompson 38' Jakubiak 89' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,656 Referee: John Brooks |
February
| 4 February 2017 29 | Exeter City | 4–0 | Crewe Alexandra | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Moore-Taylor 8' Wheeler 58', 68'James 85' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,534 Referee: Gavin Ward |
| 11 February 2017 30 | Plymouth Argyle | 3–0 | Exeter City | Plymouth |
| 15:00 GMT | Kennedy 14' R. Taylor 45+1'Jervis 90+3' (pen.) |
Report | Stadium: Home Park Attendance: 14,671 (1,533 away) Referee: Simon Hooper |
| 14 February 2017 31 | Notts County | 2–2 | Exeter City | Nottingham |
| 19:45 GMT | Duffy 90+2' Moore-Taylor 90+3' (o.g.) |
Report | Wheeler 33' Harley 88' |
Stadium: Meadow Lane Attendance: 4,047 (207 away) Referee: Seb Stockbridge |
| 18 February 2017 32 | Exeter City | 1–1 | Stevenage | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Reid 52' |
Report | McAnuff 31' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,124 Referee: Darren Handley |
| 25 February 2017 33 | Exeter City | 2–2 | Blackpool | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Watkins 45+5' Reid 90+1' |
Report | Daniel 18' Potts 39' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,125 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
| 28 February 2017 34 | Crawley Town | 1–2 | Exeter City | Crawley |
| 19:45 GMT | Connolly 90+1' |
Report | Watkins 50' Moore-Taylor 68' |
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium Attendance: 1,826 (362 away) Referee: Dean Whitestone |
March
| 4 March 2017 35 | Hartlepool United | 3–1 | Exeter City | Hartlepool |
| 15:00 GMT | Alessandra 66', 90+1' Amond 69' |
Report | Watkins 14' |
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 3,775 (166 away) Referee: Robert Lewis |
| 11 March 2017 36 | Exeter City | 0–2 | Accrington Stanley | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | McCartan 11' Pearson 71' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,897 Referee: Charles Breakspear |
| 14 March 2017 37 | Exeter City | 3–0 | Cheltenham Town | Exeter |
| 19:45 GMT | Reid 43' (pen.), 51' Taylor 57' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,539 Referee: Brett Huxtable |
| 18 March 2017 38 | Luton Town | 1–1 | Exeter City | Luton |
| 15:00 GMT | Hylton 68' |
Report | Taylor 59' |
Stadium: Kenilworth Road Attendance: 7,657 (415 away) Referee: Trevor Kettle |
| 25 March 2017 39 | Exeter City | 3–3 | Yeovil Town | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | Wheeler 89' Brown 90+1'Reid 90+2' |
Report | Zoko 62' Harrison 70'Lacey 78' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 5,492 Referee: Darren Dysdale |
April
| 1 April 2017 40 | Mansfield Town | 1–2 | Exeter City | Mansfield |
| 15:00 BST | Benning 38' |
Report | Harley 84' Reid 90+7' (pen.) |
Stadium: Field Mill Attendance: 3,878 (379 away) Referee: Ben Toner |
| 8 April 2017 41 | Exeter City | 0–1 | Newport County | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Owen-Evans 53' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,040 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 14 April 2017 42 | Exeter City | 2–1 | Barnet | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Moore-Taylor 4' Wheeler 6' |
Report | Akinde 69' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,780 Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge |
| 17 April 2017 43 | Cambridge United | 1–0 | Exeter City | Cambridge |
| 15:00 BST | Legge 29' |
Report | Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 6,130 (539 away) Referee: Darren Deadman |
| 22 April 2017 44 | Exeter City | 3–1 | Morecambe | Exeter |
| 15:00 BST | Wheeler 47' Reid 90+2' (pen.)McAlinden 90+5' |
Report | Ellison 61' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 3,991 Referee: Lee Swabey |
| 29 April 2017 45 | Doncaster Rovers | 1–3 | Exeter City | Doncaster |
| 15:00 BST | Coppinger 26' |
Report | Moore Taylor 16' Wheeler 61'McAlinden 86' |
Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium Attendance: 7,790 (667 away) Referee: Charles Breakspear |
May
| 6 May 2017 46 | Exeter City | 2–3 | Carlisle United | Exeter |
| 17:30 BST | Reid 9' Moore-Taylor 45+3' |
Report | Grainger 30' (pen.), 72' (pen.) Proctor 75' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 6,774 Referee: Steve Martin |
Play-off semi-final
| 14 May 2017 First leg | Carlisle United | 3–3 | Exeter City | Carlisle |
| 18:30 BST | Moore-Taylor 32' (o.g.) O'Sullivan 71'Miller 73' |
Report | Grant 15' Harley 45+1'Wheeler 56' |
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 9,708 (571 away) Referee: David Webb |
| 18 May 2017 Second leg | Exeter City | 3–2 (6–5 agg.) | Carlisle United | Exeter |
| 19:45 BST | Watkins 10', 79' Stacey 90+4' |
Report | O'Sullivan 90' Kennedy 81' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 7,450 Referee: Dean Whitestone |
Play-off final
| 28 May 2017 Final | Blackpool | 2–1 | Exeter City | London |
| 15:00 BST | Potts 2' Cullen 64' |
Report | Wheeler 40' |
Stadium: Wembley Stadium Attendance: 23,380 Referee: Darren England |
FA Cup
The Grecians were beaten 3–1 at home in the FA Cup first round by Luton Town after conceding two penalties The first penalty was conceded after 11 minutes and was converted by Danny Hylton. Reuben Reid then equalized in the 39th minute. Luton regained the lead after 71 minutes when Glen Rea scored. Despite Town going down to 10 men soon after, they finished off the game after Hylton scored his second goal from the spot after 86 minutes. This penalty was given after a shove by Troy Archibald-Henville, in his first appearance for the Grecians after a long injury lay-off.[82]
| 5 November 2016 First round | Exeter City | 1–3 | Luton Town | Exeter |
| 15:00 GMT | R. Reid 39' |
Report | Hylton 11' (pen.), 86' (pen.) Rea 71' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 2,972 Referee: John Busby |
EFL Cup
Exeter City won their match against Brentford in the first round after Ryan Harley scored in the 100th minute. Ethan Ampadu became the youngest ever player to be fielded by the club in this match, aged just 15 years, 10 months and 26 days.[83] In the second round of the EFL Cup, City lost 3–1 to Premier League side Hull City. Jake Taylor had opened the scoring after 24 minutes but Adama Diomande equalized after two minutes and scored again in the second half. Robert Snodgrass scored straight from a free kick to ensure Exeter's elimination from the competition.[84]
| 9 August 2016 First round | Exeter City | 1–0 | Brentford | Exeter |
| 19:45 BST | Harley 100' |
Report | Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 2,633 Referee: Kevin Johnson |
| 23 August 2016 Second round | Exeter City | 1–3 | Hull City | Exeter |
| 19:45 BST | Taylor 24' |
Report | Diomande 26', 77' Snodgrass 81' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,037 Referee: Andy Woolmer |
EFL Trophy
Exeter City began their EFL Trophy campaign with a loss to League One side Oxford United. The Grecians were 2–0 down after 36 minutes but Matt Jay scored his first goal for the club just before half-time and Liam McAlinden equalized after 61 minutes. However, United scored twice in three minutes to condemn City to an opening defeat.[85]
The Grecians won their next match against the Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Academy. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring after only 2 minutes before David Wheeler scored in the 25th minute to give City a 2–0 lead at half-time. Liam McAlinden made it 3–0 shortly after the break. Ike Ugbo scored twice in the second half but Exeter held on to their lead.[86]
City were then knocked out of the League Trophy after a loss on penalties to Swindon Town after Wheeler cancelled out a Luke Norris opener. Striker Robbie Simpson played as a centre-back for the first half of this match due to club's ongoing injury crisis. Swindon won the shoot-out 4–2 after Lloyd James and Lee Holmes missed from the spot.[87]
| Pos | Div | Team | Pld | W | PW | PL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | L1 | Swindon Town | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 7 | Advance to Round 2 |
| 2 | L1 | Oxford United | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 5 | |
| 3 | L2 | Exeter City | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 7 | −1 | 4 | |
| 4 | ACA | Chelsea U21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | −2 | 2 |
Source: Sky Sports
| 30 August First round match 1 | Oxford United | 4–2 | Exeter City | Oxford |
| 19:45 BST | Roberts 12' Maguire 36' (pen.)Taylor 68'MacDonald 71' |
Jay 43' McAlinden 61' |
Stadium: Kassam Stadium |
| 18 October First round match 2 | Exeter City | 3–2 | Chelsea Reserves and Academy | Exeter |
| 19:45 | Watkins 2' Wheeler 25'McAlinden 49' |
Ugbo 70', 90+4' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 1,979 |
- Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.
- Players with squad numbers struck through and marked † left the club during the playing season.
- Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Exeter.
- Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad but only as unused substitutes.
- Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |  |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | EFL Trophy | Play-offs | Total | Discipline | |||||||||||
| 1 | GK |  AUT |
Bobby Olejnik | 17 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 22 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG |
Tom McCready | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG |
Craig Woodman | 33 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | WAL |
Lloyd James | 42 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 (1) | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG |
Troy Archibald-Henville | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 6 | MF | ENG |
Jordan Tillson | 9 (11) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 (11) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | ENG |
Ryan Harley | 28 (3) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 33 (3) | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| 8 | FW | ENG |
Robbie Simpson | 14 (12) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 (12) | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 10 | MF | ENG |
Lee Holmes | 12 (4) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 (2) | 0 | 14 (7) | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | MF | ENG |
David Wheeler | 33 (5) | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 39 (7) | 21 | 3 | 0 |
| 12 | MF |  JAM |
Joel Grant | 9 (11) | 4 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 (1) | 1 | 15 (13) | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | FW | ENG |
Ollie Watkins | 40 (5) | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 46 (6) | 16 | 5 | 0 |
| 15 | DF | ENG |
Jordan Moore-Taylor | 42 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 16 | MF | ENG |
Matt Oakley | 5 (14) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 (15) | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 17 | MF | ENG |
Paul Tisdale | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | FW | IRL |
Liam McAlinden | 9 (23) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 13 (24) | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | ENG |
Matt Jay | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 (4) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | GK |  GUE |
James Hamon | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DF | ENG |
Danny Butterfield | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | DF | ENG |
Connor Riley-Lowe | 4 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 (3) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | ENG |
Alex Byrne | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | MF | WAL |
Jake Taylor | 43 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 (2) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 49 (2) | 5 | 10 | 1 |
| 26 | DF | WAL |
Ethan Ampadu | 6 (2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 (3) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 27 | FW | ENG |
Archie Collins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | ENG |
Jack Stacey * | 27 (7) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (1) | 1 | 30 (8) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 29 | DF | ENG |
Luke Croll * | 16 (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 (3) | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 30 | GK | ENG |
Christy Pym | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 31 | DF | IRL |
Pierce Sweeney | 27 (2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 34 (3) | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | ENG |
Reuben Reid | 31 (5) | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 34 (7) | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| 36 | DF | ENG |
Kyle Egan | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | DF | ENG |
Toby Down | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 38 | DF | ENG |
Jordan Storey | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | DF | WAL |
Troy Brown | 28 (2) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 32 (2) | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| 40 | MF | WAL |
Max Smallcombe | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | FW | NIR |
Jamie Reid |
| 22 | FW | IRL |
Ryan Swan |
| 34 | MF | ENG |
Joe Charles |
| 35 | DF | ENG |
Nick Grimes |
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
