Demetri Mitchell celebrated his 28 th birthday in style as he scored two goals to help Exeter City make some FA Cup history. It had been 44 years since the Grecians reached round four of the FA Cup, but that long wait was put to bed with victory over Championship Oxford United.
The Yellows took the lead in the 14 th minute when Matt Phillips got on the end of the swift counter-attack to slot the finish home. But the Grecians rallied and two Mitchell goals put them ahead before half-time.
The equaliser came on the volley after he was picked out by Vincent Harper. He then was quickest to react on a loose ball just before half-time as he lashed home from just inside the area.
Harper made it three for the Grecians midway through the second half with a brilliant finish from the edge of the box to put daylight between the sides. Tyler Goodrham’s late red card for violent conduct capped a miserable afternoon for Oxford – as City cruised into round four.
Goal celebrations for Demi Mitchell of Exeter City with his second goal to take the lead during the FA Cup Match between Exeter City and Oxford United at St James Park, Devon on 4 January 2025. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
“It’s an amazing feeling, we are buzzing,” the birthday boy said. “It was a proper shift from the lads, dug in, looked comfortable in the second half and were the better team, there didn’t look to be a league difference. It was not just the result but the performance was really good.
“As a squad we stick to our principles when we go ahead. The second half was one of the best performances we have had this season. We dug in deep, were amazing, and really good.”
It is now four goals in four games for Mitchell – and five in all this season – which considering the season only began at the end of October after his year-long injury absence, is an impressive return. He is looking back to his best, and ready to attack the rest of the season.
“I am playing in moments and moments are coming off,” he said. “I have not completed 90 minutes yet, which I want to do, and I need to keep going and get more goals.
“We were practicing yesterday of arriving late and I was scoring a few. The lads said ‘I hope you have not used them all up’, and luckily I saved two for today.”
Demi Mitchell of Exeter City celebrating in the changingroom after scoring two goals in the FA Cup Match between Exeter City and Oxford United at St James Park, Devon on 4 January 2025. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
(Image: Phil Mingo/PPAUK)
“Demi always been back, even when not fully fit,” manager Gary Caldwell said. “He gives us an X-factor, and he has found a home where he feels comfortable to show his ability, and he knows we love him and can go and express his quality.
“He continued his training from yesterday which some of the players will tell you was on another level and finished what he was doing in training.”
Not since the glorious run of 1980/81, in which Exeter reached the quarter-finals, have they progressed beyond round three. But now, all eyes are on Sunday’s draw to see who they face in the fourth round.