Exeter City v Oxford United 

11th January 2025

FA Cup 3rd Round 

Match Report: Exeter City 3 Oxford United 1

For the first time in 44 years, Exeter City secured their spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a confident 3-1 win against Championship Oxford United.

The Grecians found themselves a goal down early on, but Demetri Mitchell brought the game back level in the 22nd minute when he volleyed home Vincent Harper's cross at the back post.

Exeter built well after that equaliser, and took the lead six minutes before the break through Mitchell again, who finished first time from the edge of the box for his fourth goal in four games. 

Vincent Harper completed the victory with a well-taken finish midway through the second half before Oxford had a man sent off for an elbow on Jake Richards 10 minutes from time. 

For Gary Caldwell's first FA Cup third round match in charge of City, the Grecians' gaffer made one change from the team who lost 1-0 to Bolton. Fully fit after being out injured for just over two months, Johnly Yefko returned to the starting eleven, swapping in for Ed Francis in the back three. Caldwell utilised the FA Cup's rule of being able to name nine substitutes on the bench, with Kevin McDonald and Jay Bird being named back in the squad.

First half

The ever-alert Joe Whitworth was called into action after just 28 seconds, when a long ball over the top found Louie Sibley in space inside the box. The Oxford forward's first-time effort was smartly blocked by the legs of the Palace loanee.

City responded with a high press on the visitors' backline, forcing an early corner. However, it was Oxford who came closest to breaking the deadlock early on. A defensive mix-up gifted Dane Scarlett a clear sight of goal, but the danger was averted as a deflection sent the ball out for a corner, with the returning Yefko making a crucial intervention.

With all these early warnings, it was just a matter of time before the Championship side broke through, and Matt Phillips opened the scoring just before the 15 minute mark. Clearing a City corner, Siriki Dembélé carried the ball upfield before slipping a pass to Scarlett on the flank. The striker whipped a dangerous cross into the box, where Matt Phillips arrived to tap home from close range, giving the U’s a 1-0 lead.

Though, the Grecians refused to be rattled and struck back just eight minutes later through Demetri Mitchell's third goal in four games. Caleb Watts showed determination on the edge of the penalty area, holding off two defenders before Josh Magennis spread the play wide.

Bursting down the flank, Vincent Harper delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where an airborne Mitchell met it with a stunning volley to level the score at 1-1! 

That goal flowed confidence throughout City, and the Grecians almost took the lead less than 60 seconds after the restart. This time Harper met a cross at the opposing back post with a header, but Matt Ingram held his effort. 

City's momentum paid off six minutes before half-time as they took the lead. Driving into space, Watts advanced to the top right corner of the penalty area and whipped in a low cross.

Vincent Harper shaped to shoot, but the ball was nicked away from him - only to land perfectly for the onrushing Mitchell. Without hesitation, the number seven struck first time, netting his second of the match to put the Grecians 2-1 ahead!

Second half

Oxford started the second half much like the first, taking control early on. Louie Sibley saw his effort deflected wide after finding space 35 yards out following a corner. But City stayed composed, playing crisp, controlled football around Oxford’s high defensive line and building opportunities from deep.

Just before the hour mark, Ryan Woods picked out half-time substitute Ed Francis, who played in Harper on the left to win a corner. From the resulting delivery, City’s number six sent in a teasing cross, and Crama rose highest in the middle but headed just over the bar.

The U’s responded with their own flurry of chances. Siriki Dembélé fired through a crowded penalty area, only for Joe Whitworth to hold firm, and shortly after, Dane Scarlett sent a low shot skimming narrowly wide of the post.

In an effort to shift the momentum, Oxford made a double substitution, but it was City who struck next - and it came in spectacular fashion.

Deep in his own half, Watts pulled off an exquisite touch to turn away from two Oxford players and surge into open space. The midfielder drove forward before slipping the ball out wide to Harper, who cut inside and unleashed a low, driven strike into the bottom corner to extend City’s lead to 3-1.

The attacking momentum showed no signs of slowing as Tristan Crama ventured forward and found himself on the edge of the penalty area. With the Big Bank urging him to shoot, the Frenchman instead opted to play the ball out wide. Substitute Jack Aitchison collected it and drove into the box, unleashing a fierce shot that was smartly palmed away by the Oxford goalkeeper.

The drama soon shifted from the pitch to the referee’s notebook. As Tyler Goodrham tussled with Jake Richards while trying to break forward, the Oxford man was brought down but retaliated by swinging an elbow that caught Richards in the face. The referee showed no hesitation, producing a straight red card and reducing the visitors to 10 men.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Oxford continued to press forward. City, however, came close to sealing the game with a fourth goal through a moment of brilliance from Millenic Alli. Played in by Kevin McDonald on the edge of the box, Alli flicked the ball over a defender with a deft touch before firing goalwards, but the Oxford keeper made himself big and managed to block the effort.

After that, City professionally played out the final few minutes until the full-time whistle. That whistle sparked wild celebrations across St James Park as the Grecians made it to the fourth round for the first time in 44 years.

Exeter City: Whitworth, McMillan, Fitzwater, Crama, Yfeko (Francis, 46'), Harper, Woods, J. Richards, Watts (Aitchison, 67'), Mitchell (Jones, 76'), Magennis (C) (Alli, 67').

Substitutes: MacDonald (GK), Niskanen, Doyle, McDonald, Bird.

Goals: Mitchell 22', 40', Harper 64'

Oxford United: Ingram, Long (C), McEachran (Goodrham, 63'), Phillips (Placheta, 69'), Sibley, El Mizouni (Matos, 63'), Leigh, Dembele (Ferdinan, 89'), Ter Avest (Kioso, 69'), Thorniley, Scarlett.

Substitutes: Cumming (GK), Browm, Vaulks, Rodrigues.

Goal: Phillips 14'

Red card: Goodrham 81'

Yellow card: Scarlett 70'


Football League Youth Alliance 

Oxford United 3-1 Exeter U-18's 

U18S WIN IN EXETER (From OUFC website) 

A thrilling comeback from the Under 18s saw them come back with the three points from Exeter City with a 3-1 victory.

The Grecians opened the scoring in cold conditions in Exeter after an even first 30 minutes between the sides. The U’s went into the break 1-0 down after a disappointing first 45. However, they came out in the second half looking a lot more motivated. 

The chances kept coming one after another but it took 67 minutes for the Yellows to get their opener through Leo Snowden. Jack Lee then gave the U’s the lead after some excellent football. Snowden finished off the game just three minutes later, making it two for him on the day and another important three points for United.

For the first time in 2025, the young U’s took to the field, looking to pick up their league form from where they left off in 2024. The Yellows started on the front foot, with Harrison Bradney’s scuffed effort hitting the crossbar. The hosts then slowly got into their groove, forcing a good couple of saves from Ajae Patel.

The Grecians took the lead after Patel denied them with a double save, but couldn’t prevent the Exeter forward on the third occasion as he made it 1-0, 29 minutes in. 

United came out for the second half with a much better mindset and looked very motivated. Snowden was the first to come close to an equaliser, after a beautifully timed ball from Bradney.

A couple changes were made with Charlie Cramond and Louis Griffiths coming on and the U’s then started to apply non-stop pressure to the Exeter defence. Snowden came close again from a corner, while Aaron Lacey had a glancing header skim the crossbar.

It looked like it was going to be one of those days for Oxford, until Snowden finished off a trademark move, cutting in and curling it into the corner of the goal, getting a deserved equaliser for the Yellows, 67 minutes in.

Lee then came up with another crucial goal this season, making it 2-1 in the 75th minute. Snowden displayed some breath-taking footwork, getting past two before laying it off to Lee, who smashed it home to grab a late lead.

The lead was soon extended, with Snowden getting his second and completing another impressive comeback. Lee put Snowden through and he hit it on the half-volley for his 16th of the season, managing to beat the keeper through his legs and confirming another three points on the road.

The win makes it six from the last seven league games and puts pressure on those above United in the league.

Exeter 1-3 Oxford United

Team: Shanahan, Cartwright, Cavendish, Anthony, Cayless, Oakes, Cress, Ohanaka, Birch, Cooper, Wilson. Subs: Layer (GK), Hodgetts, Graham.

Goal: Kye Cooper 

Oxford United: Patel, Mole, Blackmore (Cramond 53), Bangurah, Lacey, Doyle (Palmer-Flynn 72), Burton (Abolade 62), Bradney, Lee, Holton (Griffiths 53), Snowden