City face first test against League opposition

Having faced a Premier League side and a host of non-leaguers – and with a team of Royal Marines waiting to test us – City play our only friendly against Football League opposition on Saturday.

League One Millwall arrive in Devon fresh from a 2-1 win at Ebbsfleet in midweek.

The Wall side should include former City loan striker Gary Alexander (pic). A failed bid by fans to raise money to sign him led to the creation of the Exeter City Supporters Trust, so Gary did more than just keep us in the League during his season at the Park.

It’s tempting to think that Saturday’s starting eleven may well by Paul Tisdale’s ‘Plan A’ for Darlington next week.

We’re going to guess at a 4-3-3 formation of: Jones, Tully, Taylor, Seaborne, Friend / Edwards, Gill, Harley / Stansfield, Logan, Stewart.

Even without Dean Moxey, the balance is nice, with left-sided Edwards in a holding role providing good cover for Marcus Stewart to look for space to express himself on the left.

Gill can do the hard yards alongside King Edwards in the middle, with Steve Tully on the right pushing forward and the in-form Harley looking to create chances for the classy front three.

One thing is sure. If we win, we’re going up. If we lose, we’re going down. And if it’s a draw we’ll finish in mid-table…