Jack Fitzwater 'outstanding' after his late Exeter City call-up

The defender came into side after Tristan Crama's illness - and was outstanding

It was 6am on Saturday morning when Gary Caldwell woke up to two texts on his phone. One was from his missus from 1am when she got it saying she loved him. The other was from 3.45am and from Tristan Crama.

The Frenchman had messaged to say he had been sick during the night. Despite his best efforts, he was too ill to feature in Saturday’s League One clash with Cambridge United.

A couple hours later Caldwell phoned Jack Fitzwater to tell him that he would be starting. It would be a first League One appearance of the season for the defender, and only a second league start in a year. If anyone had any concerns or fears though, they were quickly allayed by an outstanding performance.

The 27-year-old had a stop-start first season with the Grecians with injury and illness restricting him to just seven appearances, and only 45 minutes in 2024. His only action this season has been in the cups with Crama, Pierce Sweeney and Johnly Yfeko forming a trio that have conceded just six goals in nine games. But Fitzwater was excellent in the 1-0 win over the U’s and when the Brentford loanee is fit to return next time out for City, he has given Caldwell a selection headache.

“When I woke up at 6am I had a text from Tristan at 3.45am, which I thought wasn’t great,” Caldwell said. “I had one from the missus she got in at 1am and told me she loved him, his wasn’t as good!

“I phoned him and he tried his best and tried to sleep but he couldn’t get through it to make the game. I phoned Fitzy and had no doubt he would get through the game. He is a brilliant character, and his performance was outstanding. He set the tone and can be really happy with his work and the clean sheet.”

“I got a phone call off the gaffer saying Tristan was ill, but I knew I was ready from how I train every day,” Fitzwater said. “The boys have been exceptional and the only way I was going to get in was through illness, injury or suspension, but I knew I had to take my chance and help the team and thoroughly enjoyed it.

“The gaffer picked a starting eleven and the boys were brilliant and were excellent. We have to push them in training and set standards and be ready. My aim has been to stay fit and healthy and I want to be available for every game and training session.”

Woods struck his first goal since November 2017 to earn City the win, firing into the top corner after a corner wasn’t dealt with by the U’s. The ball broke out to him and he lashed it home. Exeter could have been further ahead, but were on the back foot after the break as energy-sapping away trips to Wigan and Leyton Orient in the past week showed. But Cambridge couldn’t find a way to goal, as City kept a fifth straight clean sheet to earn another vital three points, as only goal difference sees them outside the play-offs ahead of the second international break of the campaign.

“We were just saying it feels like the best kind of win when not playing well and keeping a clean sheet,” Fitzwater added. “We had to dig in, the performance wasn’t great, so many levels we can go up, but the resilience in the squad and depth to come and affect the game, and the clean sheets and the points have been deserved

“We are not playing well for 90 minutes, but dug in to get the clean sheet, and togetherness in the squad is a special place to be. I can only do what I can do, but it is a good headache for the gaffer to have.”