Tuesday, December 13 sees Exeter City’s Under-18s compete at St James Park against Oxford United U18s for a place in the fourth round of this season’s FA Youth Cup. 

The Grecians have a wonderful modern history in this competition, facing the likes of Leicester City U18s and Ipswich Town U18s in recent seasons, and ECFC’s Head of Coaching, Brad-Lee Miller, will be hoping that his players can keep up that fine record. 

City’s journey to round three began back in October, when they welcomed Newport County U18s to SJP. In a game of two halves, Exeter’s youngsters blew away their Welsh counterparts with an emphatic performance in the first 45 minutes, which saw defender Ed James get on the scoresheet, and striker George Spencer bag a hat-trick courtesy of some deadly finishing. 

However, the Exiles came out after half-time with a strong showing, and despite goals from Jonah Williams, Tom Stokes and Alfie Young setting up a tense finish, some decent game management from Miller’s men helped the Devonians seal their passage into the next round. 

Then, in November, the Grecians travelled to the New Lawn to face Forest Green Rovers U18s for their second fixture in the tournament. With a more measured approach, a positive display saw City comfortably win the game 3-0. 

Spencer notched his fourth goal of this season’s cup when he rounded the Rovers goalkeeper, before two well-taken efforts in the dying minutes from Pedro Borges and Mitch Beardmore sealed the Exeter name in the hat for the third-round draw. 

Recent league performances will give Devonian fans plenty of optimism going into Tuesday night's tie, with the Grecians currently on a four-game unbeaten streak. On top of their victory over FGR last month, they’ve also earned draws away at Swindon Town U18s and Portsmouth U18s, as well as beating Cheltenham Town U18s on home turf. 

Now, Miller will be hoping his players take that form into a tough match against a talented Oxford side, and they will be doing their utmost to gain revenge on a Yellows side who beat them in their league encounter just two and a half months ago. 

The match will be a 7pm kick-off, and tickets for this game are now on sale from the ECFC club shop and online.