Exeter City wanting to make more FA Cup memories as Barnet visit

GARY Caldwell can be forgiven for taking a trip down Memory Lane when he is reminded of the FA Cup.

It was back in 2013 that Caldwell was part of the Wigan Athletic side that shocked football by beating a star-studded Manchester City outfit in the final at Wembley. Ben Watson’s towering header was all that separated the two teams and etched his name into Latics folklore.

Caldwell was club captain of the club back then, but an injury-ravaged season meant he missed out on selection for the big day. However, he was very much a part of the squad that enjoyed such an epic Cup run and a memory he will forever cherish and hold dear. “It’s a special competition, a competition where as a young boy, I remember it used to be on the television from about 8am,” Caldwell said. “Those days have obviously changed, but you used to get the build up from the hotel, the travel to the stadium, people coming out in their suits.

“That was actually a big thing when we played in the final. Roberto (Martinez, the Wigan manager) wanted us to go in tracksuits, but I said there was no way I was getting to an FA Cup final and not wearing a suit!

“Thankfully, we got nice grey suits, sky blue shirt and tie and I thought we looked the part and that obviously helped us perform and win it, but it is a special competition and one we will take seriously and go as far as we can.”

Caldwell added: “Every year, there is a story. You will see the clips from years gone by of FA Cup upsets and last year, it was George Elokobi’s team, Maidstone United, so there is always one team every single year that does something – and that is the magic of the FA Cup.

“We are in it now, so why can’t that be us? Why can’t we go on a run? Why can’t we create another piece of history like we did when we played Manchester United and got the replay and all the stuff that that brought the football club?

“Hopefully, this year is our turn for another memory like that.”

That Road to Wembley for Wigan saw them start out with a home draw against AFC Bournemouth, a League One club at the time. The Latics won the replay 1-0 before away wins at Macclesfield Town (1-0), Huddersfield Town (4-1) and Everton (3-0) saw them reach the semi-finals, where they beat Millwall 2-0 at Wembley.

Today, Caldwell starts out on another Cup adventure with his Exeter City side, who are at home to National League side Barnet. The Bees are flying high in non-League’s top tier and sit third in the table, but while there is a two-division gap between the two clubs, Caldwell is not taking them lightly.

“It will be a really difficult game and I think, when you get a draw and you play a team from lower leagues, you would probably prefer a team that was down the bottom of their league, rather than at the top of it,” Caldwell said.

“They are obviously playing well, they are playing with confidence and are a well organised team and we have prepared as we would prepare for Birmingham in League One – it’s the same preparation. The analysts are working extremely hard to get the information, we will watch it and then try to get that across to the players and give them clarity on what Barnet are really good at and areas where we can try and exploit them.

“It’s the same preparation, they are a team that’s playing well and we are going to have to be really up for it, otherwise – with everything that’s in front of us - we become that story and they create the upset, so we have to be professional, be ready for a really tough game and try and progress.”