Next Up: Exeter City vs Bradford City

City’s failure to turn draws into wins means that it goes down to the final day, with City requiring a win and for Leyton Orient to lose or draw against Burton in order to remain in the third tier. Matt Taylor, expected to depart from his second spell in charge once his interim deal runs out in the summer, will be hoping to go out on a high. Taylor has been able to choose from a settled side in recent matches, and will again have the same players to choose from outside of those out with long-term injuries, meaning there will be few if any changes for this one. While the last game of the season may usually be an opportunity for sentiment to creep in and for players not expected to be at the club next season to take centre stage, the crucial nature of this fixture means Taylor must pick, and stick to, his strongest available side.

Unfortunately, Saturday’s match is also crucial for City’s visitors for different reasons, as Bradford need a point to be sure of a place in the playoffs and a tilt at a second successive promotion. Graham Alexander has finally found a club that has backed him after abortive spells at other clubs and, well backed from the healthy crowds at Valley Parade, he has overseen a season beyond their fans’ expectations of a battle to avoid an immediate return to League Two. A large part of this success was down to an excellent start to the season with just one league defeat before the end of October, although like City, Bradford have recently become draw specialists with three successive stalemates heading into Saturday’s match. Alexander was backed in the January window with signings of the calibre of Kayden Jackson and Paul Mullin, although the latter hasn’t recreated his form at Wrexham and has yet to find the net. Another loan signing was that of one time loanee Joe White from Newcastle, but he has barely featured. Unlike City, who have largely relied on Jayden Wareham, the goals have been shared out with two players just in double figures in league goals (Bobby Pointon and Antoni Sarcevic).

Joe Wright got the only goal for the hosts in the reverse fixture in late November in a match City were unlucky to lose. The last league fixture at SJP was on the opening day of the 21/22 season and finished 0-0. CIty will be buoyed by the fact they enjoy a slight league head to head lead with 17 wins to Bradford’s 16, 13 matches finishing level.

The match officials for this game will be:-

Referee: Ollie Yates
Assistant Referees: Ollie Williams and Thomas Staten
Fourth Official: Niall Smith

Ollie Yates has refereed City on numerous occasions, the most recent time was in August when we played Mansfield Town and City lost 2-1.

Interview with manager Matt Taylor

Interview with Captain Pierce Sweeney