Exeter City will be hoping to come back from 1-0 down as they play host to Colchester United, who know that anything other than a loss will send them to Wembley.
The first leg, on Thursday, was a tight encounter with a moment of brilliance from Cohen Bramall being enough to separate the League Two sides.
Where and When?
Exeter City vs Colchester United (0-1 aggregate) at St James Park on Monday 22nd June with kick-off at 5:15pm.
Previous Meetings
Colchester’s win in the first leg on Monday was their first win against the Grecians since December 2017.
During this season’s league campaign, the sides drew 0-0 in January and also shared the spoils a few weeks before when they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the JobServe Community Stadium.
Team News
The U’s will be going into the second leg with a fully fit squad which will delight manager John McGreal, who will be able to call upon his experienced attacking line-up again.
Meanwhile, Matt Taylor’s side will probably be without their veteran midfielder Lee Martin who went off injured with a calf strain on Monday and Taylor doesn’t expect him to be fit in time for the second leg.
Nicky Ajose missed out on the now 20-man match day squad following an injury in training but is expected to be involved for the reverse fixture.
Prediction
Just like their previous three meetings this season, this tie is set to be another close affair and with so much at stake now, one slight mistake or a superb piece of skill, like in the first leg, may be the only difference.
With the return of 19-year-old Jack Sparkes on Monday and Matty Jay now probably returning to the starting eleven, City’s attacking options will challenge the U’s defence.
Although Bramall’s free-kick in the last ten minutes mean Colchester now go into this game with an advantage, I think Exeter will just have enough to edge out their counterparts and reach the final again.
Match Preview written by Jon Bazley.
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