Exeter City head north in fine form

Exeter City make the long trek to Rotherham United on Saturday, eager to keep their unbeaten streak alive and tighten their grip on a strong end to the season.

Four games without defeat, three consecutive clean sheets, and back-to-back 2-0 wins - Gary Caldwell’s side have found their rhythm at just the right time.

Tuesday’s solid victory over Mansfield Town was another step in the right direction, and now they’re out to make their first visit to the AESSEAL New York Stadium in over a decade a memorable one.

Last time City made this trip in April 2013, they were sent packing after a bruising 4-1 defeat. This time, the Grecians have a different script in mind as they take on a Rotherham side sitting just one place and one point above them in the table.

They’ll also be stepping out in their gold and black away strip, a kit that has brought them some solid results on the road this season.

City boss Gary Caldwell knows his side will have to be switched on against a Rotherham team that, despite their league position, pose a real threat.

"It's hard work that ensures we continue to see the same level of performance. We have a process and have to make sure we recover the players and then prepare them on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition."

"We want to maintain an unbeaten run that has been a long time coming, but we are facing a team that I think are in a false position with the players they have. When you look at the quality they have - two of them we know very well in Sam Nombe and Zak Jules, we know it won't be easy."

Nombe, Jules, and another familiar face in Cam Dawson could all line up against their former club. Nombe needs no introduction to City fans, while Dawson’s heroics helped Exeter secure promotion in 2021/22.

When these two sides last met, City came out on top, securing a 1-0 victory on the opening day of the season at St James Park thanks to a goal from Caleb Watts.

This time, the stakes are different. Rotherham are looking to bounce back from a narrow 1-0 defeat to Wrexham last weekend, and while they’ve struggled for consistency, they still have the quality to make this a tough contest.

That said, City’s defensive resilience has been a major strength in recent weeks. Another clean sheet here would only add to their growing confidence.

Kick-off at the AESSEAL New York Stadium is at 3pm on Saturday. Can the Grecians keep their run going and climb the League One table?