Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell took his players on a trip down memory lane before seeing them stun Oxford United to reach the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in 44 years.
The Grecians had not progressed beyond the third round since 1981, when City reached the quarter-finals before losing to eventual FA Cup winners Tottenham. However, the League One outfit ended that miserable record on Saturday after fighting back to beat Championship side Oxford 3-1 at St James Park.
Matt Phillips put the visitors ahead but Demetri Mitchell’s double – on his 28th birthday – and a Vincent Harper strike sealed a superb victory for Caldwell’s men. Tyler Goodrham was sent-off late on for the visitors for violent conduct. The victory sparked jubilant scenes at full-time for the Grecians who thoroughly deserved their triumph
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 a brilliant achievement by the players,” Caldwell said. “Before the game, we showed players pictures of what computers were like then (1981); Muhammad Ali was heavyweight champion, Only Fools and Horses was on television and we wanted them to get a feel of how long ago it was that this club was last in the fourth round.
“Many staff members weren’t even born – I wasn’t born – and we showed some pictures of the staff that were alive from 1981 for the boys to motivate them to try and grab the opportunity – and boy did they grab it.
“I was pleased with the way we were in control and the chances we created, we could have got more and really killed the game off, but at 3-1, we were in control. We have to keep believing in what we are doing and I think the performances have gotten better and we got the rewards for that.”
Following the dramatic late defeat last Saturday at home to Bolton Wanderers, Exeter City manager 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. Oxford United made eight changes as Gary Rowett focused on Championship survival rather than cup run.
But the visitors started the better of the sides and in the 14 th minute, Oxford took the lead, and it had been coming. 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.
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.
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.
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)
Suddenly City were on top. 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, as he made it four in four.
Caldwell made one change at half-time with Francis replacing Yfeko. Tristan Crama headed over from inside the six yard box from a corner as City looked for a third. But on the hour, it came. 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.
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.
Exeter City team celebrate in the changing room after 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)
“Whenever Oxford came at us, we kept playing and the third goal was outstanding,” Caldwell said. “Caleb’s (Watts) turn, Vinnie’s finish, but what I liked was the number of players that were there attacking the box.
“We tell the players they will get their rewards from that and today they did, so hopefully that gives them the belief and confidence to keep doing that.
“We can still be better and we have to be better and that has to be key to our season. It is continual improvement, but when you see them play like that, it’s real excitement for the rest of the season.
“The bravery we showed, we kept playing and giving them a problem. I still want more in the final third, we could have got another goal and really see it off, but at 3-1 we were in control. We have to keep believing in what we are doing, performances getting better, and get the rewards for that.
“We spoke about the opportunity to create history. I am really proud of the players for the way we did it more than actually doing it. We went a goal down against team above and them played the rest of the game with real authority and scored three good goals and could have scored more, we were brilliant.
“We can be better and have to be better but when we play like that, there is real excitement for the rest of the season
Exeter City are back in action next Saturday when they travel to Birmingham City in League One. But first, Sunday’s fourth round draw.