FA CUP TV - Exeter City v Man Utd build-up
Exeter City striker Sean Devine and manager Alex Inglethorpe look back on their magical day at Old Trafford, and forward to the replay.		    
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Exeter City v Manchester United
The FA Cup, Third Round Replay
St. James' Park, Exeter
Wednesday 19 January 2005, 7.45pm



Manchester United at St. James' Park -  not so remarkable. But when you consider it's Exeter City's 10,000 capacity ground we're talking about, hosting an FA Cup Replay after the Conference minnows held the Premiership giants to a goal-less draw at their 'Theatre of Dreams', then the fixture takes on added significance.

It will arguably be Exeter's biggest match ever, and the Grecians are certainly looking forward to seeing how the superstars of United cope with the intimate atmosphere of St. James':

"I’m looking forward to getting them back at ours, having a right old go," said Exeter's star striker Sean Devine. "We'll just do what we did at old Trafford, just get about them, be confident and who knows -  never say never!

"It’s not as luxurious as Old Trafford, but they’re professional players, some of the best in the world. I think they can adapt anywhere, but I don’t think they’ll relish coming to our place - we’ll see on Wednesday."

Whilst it was understandable that their minds should be elsewhere, being in the eye of a media storm as they are, Exeter City will have been brought back down to earth with a bump on the weekend, having almost suffered an ignominious exit from The FA Trophy at the hands of Billericay Town.

After missing an early penalty, Exeter found themselves 2-0 down to the Ryman Premier League side at the break, but rallied after half-time and managed to get a goal back through Jake Edwards.

A trademark Sean Devine strike subsequently levelled the match and give Exeter another bite at the cherry at 7.45pm on 25 January.

With The FA Trophy on hold for the moment then, Exeter can now concentrate on their tie with Manchester United, a game in which 'Player of the Round' winners for the Second and Third Rounds, Dean Moxey and Paul Jones, will have to be on top form.

Exeter City manager Alex Inglethorpe knows the mountain they face, but is fully focused on the job in hand once again:

"We knew we’d given a really good account of ourselves - one of our goals was to give a good account of ourselves, irrespective of result.

"We’re delighted for the supporters because they made a real journey up there, and 9,000 of them cheered us on from the moment we walked out for the warm up to the moment we left the pitch. It was great to know that you’d sent them off with perhaps just a little bit of history - it was a great day"

"Now we can start getting our minds on the game on Wednesday. Of course we are looking forward to it and we know they could put out a very strong team. Whoever Ferguson selects, we know it will be a tough tie.

"We really appreciate the support we have been getting from people all over the country, but my players know that the fairytale will be over if we lose on Wednesday.

"We will prepare like any other game and I will ensure my players do not get carried away."

And who knows, with some hard work and a little bit of luck maybe the fairytale will come true. As Sean Devine says, never say never!