2016–17 Exeter City F.C. season

The 2016–17 season was Exeter City's 115th year in existence and their fifth consecutive season in League Two.[1] Along with competing in League Two, the club also participated in the FA Cup, EFL Cup and EFL Trophy. Exeter finished the season in 5th place, qualifying for the promotion play-offs. In September, Exeter City broke their all-time record for consecutive home league losses by losing their first five home matches of the season.[2] Exeter City did not record their first league win at their home ground St James Park until mid-December, after 10 attempts.[3] A dramatic upturn in form saw the team rise from the bottom of the league table to a high of 4th. From 31 December 2016 to 4 February 2017, Exeter won all seven of their fixtures, with David Wheeler scoring in each match. With this feat, he equalled and then broke records set by Henry Poulter, Roderick Williams and Alan Beer. Two other records were broken this season because no Exeter City team had ever won seven league games in a row (during the same season).[4] Exeter City also broke their record for most away wins in the league within one season, after their twelfth away triumph at Mansfield Town on 1 April.[5] This season was first in which City qualified for the promotion play-offs in League Two since their relegation from League One in 2012.[6] Exeter overcame Carlisle United to qualify for the play-off final against Blackpool at Wembley.[7] Blackpool beat Exeter 2–1 in the play-off final to earn promotion to the 2017–18 EFL League One.[8]

Exeter City
2016–17 season
OwnerExeter City Supporters' Trust
ChairmanJulian Tagg
ManagerPaul Tisdale
StadiumSt James Park
League Two5th (Lost play-off final)
FA CupKnocked out in First Round by Luton Town
EFL CupKnocked out in Second Round by Hull City
EFL TrophyKnocked out in Southern Group C (3rd place)
Top goalscorerLeague: David Wheeler
(19 goals)

All: David Wheeler
(21 goals)
Highest home attendance7,450 vs. Carlisle United
Lowest home attendance729 vs. Swindon Town
Average home league attendance4,300
All statistics correct as of 28 May 2017.

The season covered the period from 1 July 2016 to 30 June 2017.

Transfers

Transfers in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Fee Ref.
1 July 2016CBTroy Archibald-HenvilleCarlisle UnitedFree transfer[9]
1 July 2016DMLloyd JamesLeyton OrientFree transfer[10]
1 July 2016CFLiam McAlindenWolverhampton WanderersFree transfer[11]
1 July 2016CFRobbie SimpsonCambridge UnitedFree transfer[10]
28 July 2016CBPierce SweeneyFree agentFree transfer[12]
13 September 2016CFReuben ReidFree agentFree transfer[13]
21 February 2017CFRyan SwanFree agentFree transfer[14]

Transfers out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Fee Ref.
1 July 2016LMArron DaviesAccrington StanleyFree transfer[15]
1 July 2016CFWill HoskinsFree agentReleased[16]
1 July 2016CBJamie McAllisterBristol City[lower-alpha 1]Free transfer[17]
1 July 2016CFClinton MorrisonRedditch United[lower-alpha 2]Released[16]
1 July 2016RWAlex NichollsBarnetFree transfer[19]
1 July 2016CMDavid NobleSt Albans CityFree transfer[20]
1 July 2016CMEmmanuel OyelekeAldershot Town[lower-alpha 3]Released[22]
1 July 2016CMJason PopeWeston-super-Mare[lower-alpha 4]Released[16]
1 July 2016RBChristian RibeiroOxford UnitedFree transfer[24]
  1. Retired as player, hired as U–21 manager[17]
  2. Following Morrison's release, he signed for Redditch United.[18]
  3. Following Oyeleke's release, he signed for Aldershot Town.[21]
  4. Following Pope's release, he signed for Weston-super-Mare.[23]

Loans in

Date from Position Nationality Name From Date until Ref.
31 August 2016CMJack StaceyReading30 June 2017[25][26]
31 August 2016CBLuke CrollCrystal Palace30 June 2017[27][28]

Loans out

Date from Position Nationality Name To Date until Ref.
25 July 2016CFJamie ReidTorquay United30 June 2017[29][30]
17 January 2017CBToby DownWeymouth17 February 2017[31]
1 February 2017LBConnor Riley-LoweTruro City1 March 2017[32]
10 February 2017CMAlex ByrneTruro City10 March 2017[33]

Pre-season

On 19 May 2016, seven friendlies were announced on the club website. The majority were played against non-league West Country teams, but City also played Bristol Rovers, Burton Albion and a Cardiff City XI, the former of League One and the latter two of the Championship.[34] City won all seven of the pre-season friendlies, conceding only two goals.

8 July 2016 (2016-07-08) Friendly Weymouth 0–2 Exeter City Weymouth
19:45 BST Report Moore-Taylor  44'
Simpson  72'
Stadium: Bob Lucas Stadium
Attendance: 441
16 July 2016 (2016-07-16) Friendly Exeter City 2–0 Bristol Rovers Exeter
15:00 BST Holmes  7'
Watkins  37'
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 1,247
19 July 2016 (2016-07-19) Friendly Bodmin Town 0–4 Exeter City Bodmin
19:45 BST Report Simpson  8'
Harley  27'
Taylor  28'
Egan  73'
Stadium: Priory Park
Referee: Simon Long
21 July 2016 (2016-07-21) Friendly Truro City 1–2 Exeter City Truro
19:45 BST Crago  45+4' Report Reid  45+5'
McAlinden  88'
Stadium: Treyew Road
Attendance: 273
22 July 2016 (2016-07-22) Friendly Exeter City 1–0 Burton Albion Exeter
19:30 BST Watkins  56' Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 768
Referee: Kevin Johnson
26 July 2016 (2016-07-26) Friendly Taunton Town 1–2 Exeter City Taunton
19:45 BST Veal  77' Wheeler  45'
Riley-Lowe  60'
Stadium: Viridor Stadium
Attendance: 562
28 July 2016 (2016-07-28) Friendly Exeter City 3–0 Cardiff City XI Exeter
19:30 BST Holmes  28'
Simpson  52', 65'
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 1,166
Referee: Brendan Malone

Competitions

League Two

August

Exeter City began the season with an away fixture against Blackpool, which resulted in a 2–0 loss for the Grecians.[35] Then followed two consecutive home fixtures, both of which the Grecians went on to lose. Against Hartlepool United, City were up 1–0 at half-time thanks to a 31st-minute goal from Liam McAlinden, but conceded two goals within just two minutes in the final half-hour to lose 2–1.[36] The Grecians also went down to a late goal four days later versus Crawley Town, when Josh Yorwerth scored in the 83rd minute. After these three opening losses, City were bottom of the table.[37] Up next was a trip to Accrington Stanley, where the Grecians won their first league match thanks to two goals in a frantic six minutes in the second half. Ryan Harley opened the scoring for Exeter in the 66th minute before Arron Davies (who left Exeter City in the summer after his contract expired) equalised four minutes later. City were very quickly back ahead when Jake Taylor scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute.[38] The Grecians lost their final August fixture at home to promotion-chasing Portsmouth because of an 85th-minute penalty, but City again failed to take their chances. City scored only three goals in August, picking up a mere three points from five matches. The Grecians sat in the relegation zone at 23rd place, ahead only of Cambridge United.[39]

September

Exeter City's first fixture of September was a tit-for-tat match away at Colchester United. Robbie Simpson scored his first and only league goal since signing in the summer to open the scoring. However City were 2–1 down at half-time, but goals from Ollie Watkins and Joel Grant sealed a narrow win for the Grecians, their second of the season in League Two.[40] City's next match was at Crewe Alexandra and lost this game 2–0 to goals either side of half-time.[41] Then followed the Devon Derby against rivals Plymouth Argyle which City also lost 2–0 with both goals coming early on in the game, causing Exeter to slip back into the relegation zone.[42] Exeter City bounced back out of relegation zone by picking up their third win of the 2016–17 League Two season away at Stevenage with two quickfire goals in the second half from Lee Holmes and Ollie Watkins.[43] City's miserable start to the season was made worse by a record-breaking streak of home losses. After a 2–0 loss at home to Notts County in which the opposition scored two early goals much like Plymouth Argyle a week earlier, the Grecians had lost every one of their first five home matches. However, the two wins away from home that month saw City out of the relegation zone, finishing the month's action in 22nd place.[44]

October

The Grecians fared slightly better in October despite an opening 1–0 away loss at Wycombe Wanderers after a late goal from Adebayo Akinfenwa.[45] City finally picked up their first point at home on 8 October with a goalless draw with Grimsby Town in which goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik didn't feature on the starting line-up for only the second time in over 50 league matches.[46] Instead, Christy Pym featured in goal and would stay in the starting lineup for months to come. In contrast to the Grecians' poor start to the season, City thumped Barnet 4–1 in the following fixture away from home. The League Two top scorer at the time John Akinde opened the scoring for the opposition before Jake Taylor equalized just before half-time. After the break, City scored another three goals while former Grecian Alex Nicholls failed to find the back of net.[47] Despite this heavy win, City once again lost at home the following week to Cambridge United to two early goals, with Joel Grant scoring a consolation goal towards the end of the match.[48] Like their previous away fixture, the Grecians picked up another strong win at Morecambe, with first-half goals from David Wheeler, Joel Grant and Lee Holmes. By the end of October, the Grecians had earned 16 points, 15 of these away from home and stood at 19th in the league table, six points below the play-off places and one point above the relegation zone.[49]

November

The Grecians' first league game of the month was a 3–1 loss to Doncaster Rovers. Reuben Reid opened the scoring in the 51st minute by converting a penalty kick but City conceded three goals in the final twenty minutes of the match, subsequently dropping back into the relegation zone.[50] Exeter City also threw away a result the following week at Carlisle United, going behind in stoppage time to lose 3–2. Reid again opened the scoring, after only 40 seconds, but Charlie Wyke equalized. Lee Holmes then regained the lead for Exeter after 54 until Shaun Miller equalized in the 89th minute. Wyke scored the winner in the seventh minute of stoppage time. After two consecutive losses, the Grecians were bottom of the table for the first time since mid-August.[51] City escaped from the drop zone the following Tuesday after their sixth away league win of the season, at Leyton Orient. The Grecians won 1–0 after a first-half Ollie Watkins goal. Orient manager Alberto Cavasin was sacked soon after this match[52] City stayed in 21st after earning only their second point at home after a 0–0 draw against Luton Town.[53]

December

After elimination from the FA Cup, the Grecians did not have a fixture for the first Saturday of December. City's first match was away at Cheltenham Town, which was won 3–1, seeing the Grecians rise to 17th in the league table.[54] Exeter City won a home match in the league for the first time that season the following week against Mansfield Town, with Ollie Watkins scoring both goals.[55] The Grecians drew 0–0 at Yeovil Town in their Boxing Day fixture.[56] New Year's Eve saw Exeter City beat Newport County 4–1 at Rodney Parade. Ollie Watkins scored his first hat-trick in professional football, the first hat-trick any Exeter City player had scored in the league since 1993. This result meant City finished the year at 11th place in the league table.[57]

January

City began the year with a 4–0 thrashing of Leyton Orient where Ryan Harley scored a brace shortly after returning from injury. This win extended their unbeaten run to seven matches, seeing the Grecians rise from 24th in the league to 11th in that time.[58] City were without a match on Saturday 7 January due to their fixture against Wycombe Wanderers being postponed because of the Chairboys' involvement in the third round of the FA Cup. After the few fixtures that took place that day, City dropped to 12th in the league table. The Grecians bounced back up the table with a 3–0 win at Grimsby Town, with Ollie Watkins, David Wheeler and Reuben Reid scoring their 10th, 9th and 5th goals of the season respectively.[59] City won 3–0 again the following week, this time at home to Colchester United. Reid, Wheeler and Liam McAlinden scored while Ollie Watkins gained a hat-trick of assists. After this result, the Grecians rose to 9th in the League Table, only one point off the play-offs.[60] Exeter City climbed into 7th place in the league table, the final play-off spot, after a 1–0 win away at Portsmouth, whom were also promotion contenders.[61] City again triumphed over a fellow play-off contender by beating Wycombe Wanderers 4–2, moving up to fourth place.[62]

February

The Grecians carried their excellent form into February with a 4–0 thrashing of Crewe Alexandra with David Wheeler breaking the all-time Exeter City record for consecutive matches scored in after his brace, meaning he had scored seven matches in a row. Jordan Moore-Taylor and Lloyd James also scored in the match. City were then only four points behind third-placed Carlisle United. Exeter City also won seven consecutive matches in the league (within a single season) for the first time.[63] Exeter's unbeaten run was ended by rivals Plymouth Argyle in a 3–0 drubbing at Home Park. This was the Grecians' heaviest defeat of the season so far and the club dropped to 5th in the league table.[64] Exeter dropped further down the league table to 6th after losing a 2–0 lead at 90 minutes to draw 2–2 at Notts County. Jake Taylor was sent off in the 87th minute.[65] City drew again in their next game at home against Stevenage, with Reuben Reid equalizing early in the second half.[66] Yet another draw was to follow the next game at home against Blackpool, where City fought back after finding themselves 2–0 down after 39 minutes.[67] This stretched their home unbeaten run to 8 matches. City ended their winless streak with a 2–1 victory over Crawley Town on Shrove Tuesday, their 11th away league victory of the season.[68]

March

City had a very poor start to the month after losing 3–1 to relegation-threatened Hartlepool United. Much like the reverse fixture back in August, Exeter forfeited a 1–0 half-time lead. Subsequently, the Reds dropped to 7th.[69] Exeter's promotion hopes were dealt another blow after a second consecutive loss to a bottom-half side, this time Accrington Stanley who beat City 2–0.[70] Despite only gaining 6 points from 7 matches, City remained in the play-off qualification places. The Reds bounced back with a 3–0 win against Cheltenham Town on 14 March with Reuben Reid netting twice.[71] Despite gaining a credible away draw the following weekend at Luton Town, Exeter's position in the play-off places was made even more precarious by wins for Blackpool and Mansfield Town.[72] The Grecians pulled off an incredible comeback to draw 3–3 against Yeovil Town despite being 3–0 down after 87 minutes, with Wheeler, Brown and Reid rescuing the team from dropping out of the play-off places.[73]

April

City pulled off another stunning comeback the following Saturday, this time at Mansfield Town after going 1–0 down before half-time. The Reds won 2–1 thanks to goal in the 84th minute from Ryan Harley and a 97th-minute spot-kick which was converted by Reuben Reid.[74] There was to be no come-back the following week as Newport County successfully defended their 1–0 lead to move closer to League Two survival, while the Grecians remained in 6th as other results went their way.[75] Exeter returned to winning ways with a victory against Barnet on Good Friday. Moore-Taylor and Wheeler both scored with the first six minutes and City held on their lead despite a second-half goal from John Akinde.[76] City lost on Easter Monday at Cambridge thanks to a first-half goal from Leon Legge. At this point in the season with 3 matches remaining, there was a mere 6-point gap between 4th place and 13th place in the league table and City were precariously only 3 points above 13th despite sitting in 6th.[77] Exeter increased their cushion over 8th place to 3 points with a 3–1 win over Morecambe at home. David Wheeler scored his 18th goal of the season in what was yet another thrilling late surge of goalscoring by the Grecians.[78] City assured qualification to the playoffs on 29 April after a 3–1 away victory over then-leaders Doncaster Rovers with goals from Moore-Taylor, Wheeler and McAlinden. Former Grecian James Coppinger netted for Doncaster.[6]

May

In a repeat of their reverse fixture back in November, City surrendered a 2–1 lead to lose 2–3 to Carlisle United. The Cumbrians netted two spot-kicks in this match, a result which earned them 6th-place in the league table and meant Exeter and Carlisle would face off in the League Two promotion play-offs.[79]

In the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Carlisle, the teams played out a 3–3 draw. City opened the scoring in the 15th minute after Grant scored a header, but were pegged back a quarter of an hour later after an own goal by Moore-Taylor. Just before half-time, Harley scored to give City back the lead. Wheeler scored after 56 minutes to extend Exeter's lead to 3–1. Carlisle then scored two goals in two minutes to bring the score to 3–3. Joel Grant finished the match with a goal and two assists.[80]

The second leg saw a very late winner for Exeter, scored by loanee Jack Stacey. City had gone 2–0 up with both goals scored by Ollie Watkins in the 10th and 79th minutes, but Carlisle scored twice in the final ten minutes of normal time to make it 2–2. Jack Stacey then scored his first goal for Exeter in the 95th minute to send the Grecians to Wembley.[7]

Blackpool overcame Exeter in the play-off final, starting the game very well by scoring in the 2nd minute through Brad Potts. David Wheeler then equalised after 40 minutes and the first half finished 1–1. Mark Cullen scored the winning goal for Blackpool in the 64th minute.[8]

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Promotion, qualification or relegation
3 Doncaster Rovers (P) 46 25 10 11 85 55 +30 85 Promotion to EFL League One
4 Luton Town 46 20 17 9 70 43 +27 77 Qualification for League Two play-offs[lower-alpha 1]
5 Exeter City 46 21 8 17 75 56 +19 71
6 Carlisle United 46 18 17 11 69 68 +1 71
7 Blackpool (O, P) 46 18 16 12 69 46 +23 70
Updated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source: BBC Sport
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored
(O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted.
Notes:
  1. Four teams play for one spot and promotion to EFL League One

Results summary

Note: does not include play-off matches.

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
46 21 8 17 75 56  +19 71 8 5 10 36 29  +7 13 3 7 39 27  +12

Last updated: 6 May 2017.
Source: BBC Sport

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHHAAHHAHAHHAHAH
ResultLLLWLWLLWLLDWLWLLWDWWDWWWWWWWLDDDWLLWDDWLWLWWL
Position21232423231821232022232320231923242121171515111110974456666777776656555
Updated to match(es) played on 6 May 2017. Source: BBC Match result pages
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

On 22 June 2016, the fixtures for the 2016–17 season were announced.[81]

August
6 August 2016 (2016-08-06) 1 Blackpool 2–0 Exeter City Blackpool
15:00 BST Vassell  20'
Brown  52' (o.g.)
Report Stadium: Bloomfield Road
Attendance: 3,754
Referee: John Brooks
13 August 2016 (2016-08-13) 2 Exeter City 1–2 Hartlepool United Exeter
15:00 BST McAlinden  31' Report Woods  74'
Paynter  75'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,322
Referee: Mark Heywood
16 August 2016 (2016-08-16) 3 Exeter City 0–1 Crawley Town Exeter
19:45 BST Report Yorwerth  83' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 2,660
Referee: Lee Collins
20 August 2016 (2016-08-20) 4 Accrington Stanley 1–2 Exeter City Accrington
15:00 BST Davies  70' Report Harley  66'
Taylor  72'
Stadium: Crown Ground
Attendance: 1,300 (111 away)
Referee: Ross Joyce
27 August 2016 (2016-08-27) 5 Exeter City 0–1 Portsmouth Exeter
15:00 BST Report Roberts  85' (pen.) Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,512
Referee: Gavin Ward
September
3 September 2016 (2016-09-03) 6 Colchester United 2–3 Exeter City Colchester
15:00 BST Szmodics  13'
Guthrie  38'
Report Simpson  8'
Watkins  51'
Grant  67'
Stadium: Colchester Community Stadium
Attendance: 3,364 (255 away)
Referee: Darren Deadman
10 September 2016 (2016-09-10) 7 Crewe Alexandra 2–0 Exeter City Crewe
15:00 BST Kiwomya  23'
Hollands  87'
Report Stadium: Gresty Road
Attendance: 3,896
Referee: Robert Jones
17 September 2016 (2016-09-17) 8 Exeter City 0–2 Plymouth Argyle Exeter
15:00 BST Report Carey  6'
Garita  26'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 6,612
Referee: Dean Whitestone
24 September 2016 (2016-09-24) 9 Stevenage 0–2 Exeter City Stevenage
15:00 BST Report Holmes  70'
Watkins  71'
Stadium: Broadhall Way
Attendance: 2,244
Referee: Ollie Yates
27 September 2016 (2016-09-27) 10 Exeter City 0–2 Notts County Exeter
19:45 BST Report Stead  3', 34' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,081
Referee: Kevin Johnson
October
1 October 2016 (2016-10-01) 11 Wycombe Wanderers 1–0 Exeter City High Wycombe
15:00 BST Akinfenwa  85' Report Stadium: Adams Park
Attendance: 3,297
Referee: Nick Kinseley
8 October 2016 (2016-10-08) 12 Exeter City 0–0 Grimsby Town Exeter
15:00 BST Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,557
Referee: John Brooks
15 October 2016 (2016-10-15) 13 Barnet 1–4 Exeter City Canons Park, London
15:00 BST Akinde  11' Report Taylor  43'
Holmes  50'
Wheeler  56'
Reid  81' (pen)
Stadium: The Hive
Attendance: 1,640 (360 away)
Referee: Michael Salisbury
22 October 2016 (2016-10-22) 14 Exeter City 1–2 Cambridge United Exeter
15:00 BST Grant  73' Report Berry  7'
Dunk  10'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,485
Referee: Robert Jones
29 October 2016 (2016-10-29) 15 Morecambe 0–3 Exeter City Morecambe
15:00 BST Report Wheeler  4'
Grant  16'
Holmes  35'
Stadium: Globe Arena
Attendance: 1,302 (153 away)
Referee: Ben Toner
November
12 November 2016 (2016-11-12) 16 Exeter City 1–3 Doncaster Rovers Exeter
15:00 GMT Reid  51' (pen.) Report Mandeville  72'
Marquis  77', 90'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,540
Referee: Charles Breakspear
19 November 2016 (2016-11-19) 17 Carlisle United 3–2 Exeter City Carlisle
15:00 GMT Wyke  9', 90+7'
Miller  89'
Report Reid  1'
Holmes  54'
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 5,058
Referee: Ross Joyce
22 November 2016 (2016-11-22) 18 Leyton Orient 0–1 Exeter City Leyton, London
19:45 GMT Report Watkins  26' Stadium: Brisbane Road
Attendance: 2,926 (316 away)
Referee: Tim Robinson
26 November 2016 (2016-11-26) 19 Exeter City 0–0 Luton Town Exeter
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,823
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
December
10 December 2016 (2016-12-10) 20 Cheltenham Town 1–3 Exeter City Cheltenham
15:00 GMT Waters  70' Report Holmes  55'
Wheeler  81', 85'
Stadium: Whaddon Road
Attendance: 3,113 (678 away)
Referee: Darren England
17 December 2016 (2016-12-17) 21 Exeter City 2–0 Mansfield Town Exeter
15:00 GMT Watkins  19', 90' Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,626
Referee: Kevin Johnson
26 December 2016 (2016-12-26) 22 Yeovil Town 0–0 Exeter City Yeovil
15:00 GMT Report Stadium: Huish Park
Attendance: 6,086 (1,359 away)
Referee: Tim Robinson
31 December 2016 (2016-12-31) 23 Newport County 1–4 Exeter City Newport, Wales
15:00 GMT Rigg  81' Report Watkins  45+1', 47', 90+5'
Wheeler  53'
Stadium: Rodney Parade
Attendance: 2,663
Referee: Darren Deadman
January
2 January 2017 (2017-01-02) 24 Exeter City 4–0 Leyton Orient Exeter
15:00 GMT Wheeler  4'
Harley  50', 65' (pen.)
McAlinden  82'
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,537
Referee: Michael Salisbury
7 January 2017 (2017-01-07) 25 Exeter City Postponed Wycombe Wanderers
15:00 GMT
14 January 2017 (2017-01-14) 26 Grimsby Town 0–3 Exeter City Cleethorpes
15:00 GMT Report Reid  41'
Wheeler  59'
Watkins  80'
Stadium: Blundell Park
Attendance: 5,009 (245 away)
Referee: Ben Toner
21 January 2017 (2017-01-21) 27 Exeter City 3–0 Colchester United Exeter
15:00 GMT Reid  20'
Wheeler  77'
McAlinden  89'
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,114
Referee: Robert Lewis
28 January 2017 (2017-01-28) 28 Portsmouth 0–1 Exeter City Portsmouth
15:00 GMT Report Wheeler  57' Stadium: Fratton Park
Attendance: 17,195 (1,010 away)
Referee: Dean Whitestone
31 January 2017 (2017-01-31) 25 Exeter City 4–2 Wycombe Wanderers Exeter
19:45 GMT Wheeler  19'
Brown  65'
Grant  67'
Watkins  90+5'
Report Thompson  38'
Jakubiak  89'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,656
Referee: John Brooks
February
4 February 2017 (2017-02-04) 29 Exeter City 4–0 Crewe Alexandra Exeter
15:00 GMT Moore-Taylor  8'
Wheeler  58', 68'
James  85'
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,534
Referee: Gavin Ward
11 February 2017 (2017-02-11) 30 Plymouth Argyle 3–0 Exeter City Plymouth
15:00 GMT Kennedy  14'
R. Taylor  45+1'
Jervis  90+3' (pen.)
Report Stadium: Home Park
Attendance: 14,671 (1,533 away)
Referee: Simon Hooper
14 February 2017 (2017-02-14) 31 Notts County 2–2 Exeter City Nottingham
19:45 GMT Duffy  90+2'
Moore-Taylor  90+3' (o.g.)
Report Wheeler  33'
Harley  88'
Stadium: Meadow Lane
Attendance: 4,047 (207 away)
Referee: Seb Stockbridge
18 February 2017 (2017-02-18) 32 Exeter City 1–1 Stevenage Exeter
15:00 GMT Reid  52' Report McAnuff  31' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,124
Referee: Darren Handley
25 February 2017 (2017-02-25) 33 Exeter City 2–2 Blackpool Exeter
15:00 GMT Watkins  45+5'
Reid  90+1'
Report Daniel  18'
Potts  39'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,125
Referee: Kevin Johnson
28 February 2017 (2017-02-28) 34 Crawley Town 1–2 Exeter City Crawley
19:45 GMT Connolly  90+1' Report Watkins  50'
Moore-Taylor  68'
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: 1,826 (362 away)
Referee: Dean Whitestone
March
4 March 2017 (2017-03-04) 35 Hartlepool United 3–1 Exeter City Hartlepool
15:00 GMT Alessandra  66', 90+1'
Amond  69'
Report Watkins  14' Stadium: Victoria Park
Attendance: 3,775 (166 away)
Referee: Robert Lewis
11 March 2017 (2017-03-11) 36 Exeter City 0–2 Accrington Stanley Exeter
15:00 GMT Report McCartan  11'
Pearson  71'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,897
Referee: Charles Breakspear
14 March 2017 (2017-03-14) 37 Exeter City 3–0 Cheltenham Town Exeter
19:45 GMT Reid  43' (pen.), 51'
Taylor  57'
Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,539
Referee: Brett Huxtable
18 March 2017 (2017-03-18) 38 Luton Town 1–1 Exeter City Luton
15:00 GMT Hylton  68' Report Taylor  59' Stadium: Kenilworth Road
Attendance: 7,657 (415 away)
Referee: Trevor Kettle
25 March 2017 (2017-03-25) 39 Exeter City 3–3 Yeovil Town Exeter
15:00 GMT Wheeler  89'
Brown  90+1'
Reid  90+2'
Report Zoko  62'
Harrison  70'
Lacey  78'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 5,492
Referee: Darren Dysdale
April
1 April 2017 (2017-04-01) 40 Mansfield Town 1–2 Exeter City Mansfield
15:00 BST Benning  38' Report Harley  84'
Reid  90+7' (pen.)
Stadium: Field Mill
Attendance: 3,878 (379 away)
Referee: Ben Toner
8 April 2017 (2017-04-08) 41 Exeter City 0–1 Newport County Exeter
15:00 BST Report Owen-Evans  53' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,040
Referee: Eddie Ilderton
14 April 2017 (2017-04-14) 42 Exeter City 2–1 Barnet Exeter
15:00 BST Moore-Taylor  4'
Wheeler  6'
Report Akinde  69' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,780
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
17 April 2017 (2017-04-17) 43 Cambridge United 1–0 Exeter City Cambridge
15:00 BST Legge  29' Report Stadium: Abbey Stadium
Attendance: 6,130 (539 away)
Referee: Darren Deadman
22 April 2017 (2017-04-22) 44 Exeter City 3–1 Morecambe Exeter
15:00 BST Wheeler  47'
Reid  90+2' (pen.)
McAlinden  90+5'
Report Ellison  61' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 3,991
Referee: Lee Swabey
29 April 2017 (2017-04-29) 45 Doncaster Rovers 1–3 Exeter City Doncaster
15:00 BST Coppinger  26' Report Moore Taylor  16'
Wheeler  61'
McAlinden  86'
Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium
Attendance: 7,790 (667 away)
Referee: Charles Breakspear
May
6 May 2017 (2017-05-06) 46 Exeter City 2–3 Carlisle United Exeter
17:30 BST Reid  9'
Moore-Taylor  45+3'
Report Grainger  30' (pen.), 72' (pen.)
Proctor  75'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 6,774
Referee: Steve Martin
Play-off semi-final
14 May 2017 (2017-05-14) First leg Carlisle United 3–3 Exeter City Carlisle
18:30 BST Moore-Taylor  32' (o.g.)
O'Sullivan  71'
Miller  73'
Report Grant  15'
Harley  45+1'
Wheeler  56'
Stadium: Brunton Park
Attendance: 9,708 (571 away)
Referee: David Webb
18 May 2017 (2017-05-18) Second leg Exeter City 3–2
(6–5 agg.)
Carlisle United Exeter
19:45 BST Watkins  10', 79'
Stacey  90+4'
Report O'Sullivan  90'
Kennedy  81'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 7,450
Referee: Dean Whitestone
Play-off final
28 May 2017 (2017-05-28) Final Blackpool 2–1 Exeter City London
15:00 BST Potts  2'
Cullen  64'
Report Wheeler  40' Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 23,380
Referee: Darren England

FA Cup

The Grecians were beaten 3–1 at home in the FA Cup First Round by Luton Town after conceding two penalties The first penalty was conceded after 11 minutes and was converted by Danny Hylton. Reuben Reid then equalized in the 39th minute. Luton regained the lead after 71 minutes when Glen Rea scored. Despite Town going down to 10 men soon after, they finished off the game after Hylton scored his second goal from the spot after 86 minutes. This penalty was given after a shove by Troy Archibald-Henville, in his first appearance for the Grecians after a long injury lay-off.[82]

5 November 2016 (2016-11-05) First round Exeter City 1–3 Luton Town Exeter
15:00 GMT R. Reid  39' Report Hylton  11' (pen.), 86' (pen.)
Rea  71'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 2,972
Referee: John Busby

EFL Cup

Exeter City won their match against Brentford in the first round after Ryan Harley scored in the 100th minute. Ethan Ampadu became the youngest ever player to be fielded by the club in this match, aged just 15 years, 10 months and 26 days.[83] In the second round of the EFL Cup, City lost 3–1 to Premier League side Hull City. Jake Taylor had opened the scoring after 24 minutes but Adama Diomande equalized after two minutes and scored again in the second half. Robert Snodgrass scored straight from a free kick to ensure Exeter's elimination from the competition.[84]

9 August 2016 (2016-08-09) First round Exeter City 1–0 Brentford Exeter
19:45 BST Harley  100' Report Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 2,633
Referee: Kevin Johnson
23 August 2016 (2016-08-23) Second round Exeter City 1–3 Hull City Exeter
19:45 BST Taylor  24' Report Diomande  26', 77'
Snodgrass  81'
Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 4,037
Referee: Andy Woolmer

EFL Trophy

Exeter City began their EFL Trophy campaign with a loss to League One side Oxford United. The Grecians were 2–0 down after 36 minutes but Matt Jay scored his first goal for the club just before half-time and Liam McAlinden equalized after 61 minutes. However, United scored twice in three minutes to condemn City to an opening defeat.[85]

The Grecians won their next match against the Chelsea F.C. Reserves and Academy. Ollie Watkins opened the scoring after only 2 minutes before David Wheeler scored in the 25th minute to give City a 2–0 lead at half-time. Liam McAlinden made it 3–0 shortly after the break. Ike Ugbo scored twice in the second half but Exeter held on to their lead.[86]

City were then knocked out of the League Trophy after a loss on penalties to Swindon Town after Wheeler cancelled out a Luke Norris opener. Striker Robbie Simpson played as a centre-back for the first half of this match due to club's ongoing injury crisis. Swindon won the shoot-out 4–2 after Lloyd James and Lee Holmes missed from the spot.[87]

Pos Div Team Pld W PW PL L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 L1 Swindon Town 3 1 2 0 0 3 2 +1 7 Advance to Round 2
2 L1 Oxford United 3 1 0 2 0 5 3 +2 5
3 L2 Exeter City 3 1 0 1 1 6 7 1 4
4 ACA Chelsea U21 3 0 1 0 2 4 6 2 2
Source: Sky Sports
30 August First round match 1 Oxford United 4–2 Exeter City Oxford
19:45 BST Roberts  12'
Maguire  36' (pen.)
Taylor  68'
MacDonald  71'
Jay  43'
McAlinden  61'
Stadium: Kassam Stadium
18 October First round match 2 Exeter City 3–2 Chelsea Reserves and Academy Exeter
19:45 Watkins  2'
Wheeler  25'
McAlinden  49'
Ugbo  70', 90+4' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 1,979
8 November First round match 3 Exeter City 1–1
(2–4 p)
Swindon Town Exeter
19:45 Wheeler  60' Norris  30' Stadium: St James Park
Attendance: 729
Penalties
James
Simpson
Grant
Holmes
Doughty
Evans
Branco
Kasim

Squad statistics

Source:[88][89]
Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.
Players with squad numbers struck through and marked left the club during the playing season.
Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Exeter.
Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad but only as unused substitutes.
Key to positions: GK Goalkeeper; DF Defender; MF Midfielder; FW Forward
No. Pos. Nat. Name Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
League FA Cup EFL Cup EFL Trophy Play-offs Total Discipline
1GK AUT Bobby Olejnik 17 (1)01010102022 (1)010
2DF ENG Tom McCready 1 (1)0001010002 (1)000
3DF ENG Craig Woodman 3301010103039050
4MF WAL Lloyd James 42 (1)10020202048 (1)190
5DF ENG Troy Archibald-Henville 1 (2)00 (1)00000001 (3)010
6MF ENG Jordan Tillson 9 (11)00010001011 (11)010
7MF ENG Ryan Harley 28 (3)50021003133 (3)740
8FW ENG Robbie Simpson 14 (12)11010100017 (12)150
10MF ENG Lee Holmes 12 (4)510000 (1)01 (2)014 (7)510
11MF ENG David Wheeler 33 (5)17100 (2)0223239 (7)2130
12MF JAM Joel Grant 9 (11)40 (1)010302 (1)115 (13)500
14FW ENG Ollie Watkins 40 (5)13001 (1)0213246 (6)1650
15DF ENG Jordan Moore-Taylor 4251010103048531
16MF ENG Matt Oakley 5 (14)00 (1)00030008 (15)030
17MF ENG Paul Tisdale 00000000000000
19FW IRL Liam McAlinden 9 (23)5001 (1)0320013 (24)720
20MF ENG Matt Jay 0 (2)000001 (2)1001 (4)100
21GK GUE James Hamon 10000010002000
22 DF ENG Danny Butterfield 00000000000000
23DF ENG Connor Riley-Lowe 4 (1)0001 (1)01 (1)0006 (3)010
24MF ENG Alex Byrne 0 (1)0000010001 (1)000
25MF WAL Jake Taylor 43410210 (2)03049 (2)5101
26DF WAL Ethan Ampadu 6 (2)010201 (1)00010 (3)020
27FW ENG Archie Collins 00000000000000
28DF ENG Jack Stacey * 27 (7)01000002 (1)130 (8)120
29DF ENG Luke Croll * 16 (3)00000100017 (3)020
30GK ENG Christy Pym 2800010101031020
31DF IRL Pierce Sweeney 27 (2)01020301 (1)034 (3)060
33FW ENG Reuben Reid 31 (5)131100200 (2)034 (7)1450
36DF ENG Kyle Egan 0 (1)0000010001 (1)000
37DF ENG Toby Down 0000000 (1)0000 (1)000
38DF ENG Jordan Storey 0000000 (1)0000 (1)000
39DF WAL Troy Brown 28 (2)20010003032 (2)260
40MF WAL Max Smallcombe 00000010001000
Players not included in matchday squads
No. Pos. Nat. Name
18FW NIR Jamie Reid
22FW IRL Ryan Swan
34MF ENG Joe Charles
35DF ENG Nick Grimes

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