Exeter City booked their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in 44 years after cruising past Oxford United. The Grecians made history as they came from behind to beat the Championship side 3-1 as the magic of the cup was alive at St James Park.
Oxford took the lead in the 14th minute when Matt Phillips got on the end of the swift counter-attack to slot the finish home. But the Grecians rallied and two Demetri Mitchell goals, on his 28th birthday, 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.
But for City there was jubilation and delight at full time. Not since 1981, when the Grecians went all the way to the quarter finals, have they reached round four, but they have put that long hoodoo to rest.
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
Following the dramatic late defeat last Saturday at home to Bolton Wanderers, Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell made just the one change to the Grecians line-up. Fully fit-again Johnly Yfeko returned into the defensive unit, with Ed Francis dropping down to the bench. With nine subs allowed in the FA Cup, Jay Bird and Kevin McDonald were also named as subs. Oxford United made eight changes as Gary Rowett gave some squad players a run-out.
Inside 30 seconds the Yellows had a good chance to open the scoring. Siriki Dembele found Louie Sibley in space only eight yards out, but his effort was straight at Joe Whitworth. Dane Scarlett then saw an effort deflected just wide, as did Dembele.
And it was no surprise when in the 14th minute, Oxford took the lead. Caleb Watts gave the ball away from a City corner and the visitors broke. Scarlett ran half the length of the pitch before playing a slide rule ball across the face of goal for Phillips to slot home at the back post. It had been coming as City just hadn’t got going at all.
The Grecians though were inches away from equalising with the next attack. Watts got in down the left and fizzed in a cross, although the ball it seemed like the ball had run over the byline. The cross hit a defender, rebounded back, but cannoned off the post and to safety.
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
Midway through the half, City were level. Watts and Josh Magennis linked up well, before the ball was played to Harper on the left. He floated in a cross to the back post where Mitchell was unmarked to acrobatically volley the ball downwards and into the net to make it 1-1.
Suddenly City were on top, and the roles were nearly reversed when Mitchell picked out Harper, but Matt Ingram saved his header. But the visitors weathered the storm and Scarlett came close with a header, before Yfeko threw his body in the way to block a Sibley strike.
And just before half-time, the Grecians took the lead. Watts swung in a cross from the right which wasn’t cleared by the Oxford defence. It broke straight to Mitchell who struck a first time effort into the back of the net to put City ahead. It wasn’t the cleanest of strikes, but had enough on it, and what a birthday it was proving to be, as Exeter went in 2-1 ahead.
Caldwell made one change at half-time with Francis replacing Yfeko. Rowett sent out an unchanged Oxford side. Tristan Crama headed wide from a free-kick for City who were looking for a third, while the Frenchman had an even better chance from inside the six yard box from a corner, but he headed over.
Goal celebrations for Vincent Harper of Exeter City after scoring during the FA Cup Match between Exeter City and Oxford United at St James Park, Devon on 4 January 2025. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
Scarlett dragged a shot just wide of the post as United started to push. Rowett then brought on Alex Matos and Tyler Goodrham with his first changes, but before they even had a chance to do anything, City had a third. It started with a magical touch and turn by Watts to set up the break. He found Harper on the edge of the area and he drilled a low finish which arrowed into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.
Watts, Magennis and Mitchell were replaced by Millenic Alli, Jack Aitchison and Pat Jones , while Oxford made a raft of subs to try and rescue something. One of them, Przemyslaw Placheta saw an effort from distance saved as the chances for the visitors just weren’t being fashioned. Aitchison nearly grabbed a fourth for City but his strike from the angle was saved.
Tyler Goodrham was sent off the Oxford in the latter stages after elbowing Jake Richards in the face. The City man was rightfully booked for the initial foul, while referee Scott Oldham showed no hesitation in going to his top pocket and pulling out the red card for the petulant and stupid reaction of the Oxford man.
Tyler Goodrham of Oxford Unitedm is shown a red card from, Referee, Scott Oldham during the FA Cup Match between Exeter City and Oxford United at St James Park, Devon on 4 January 2025. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
There were seven minutes of stoppage-time added-on. Jack Fitzwater nearly made it four but was inches away from poking home as it was party time for Exeter – and celebrations when the final whistle went.
Exeter City are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Birmingham City in League One. But first, Sunday’s fourth round draw.
Exeter City: – Joe Whitworth, Jack Fitzwater, Tristan Crama, Johnly Yfeko (Ed Francis, 45), Jack McMillan, Ryan Woods, Jake Richards (Kevin McDonald, 84), Vincent Harper, Caleb Watts (Jack Aitchison, 67), Demetri Mitchell (Pat Jones, 75), Josh Magennis (Millenic Alli, 67)
Subs: Shaun MacDonald, Ilmari Niskanen, Kamari Doyle, Jay Bird,
Booking: Richards