Exeter can 'rise to the occasion' in FA Cup - Cole

Exeter midfielder Cole backs the League Two side to upset League One leaders Huddersfield in Saturday's FA Cup tie despite being underdogs.

Exeter City midfielder Reece Cole has expressed confidence that his side can pull off an upset against League One leaders Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup on Saturday. The Grecians, relegated from League Two last season, have been in strong form recently, winning four and drawing one of their last six matches to climb to 12th in the table, just a point off the play-offs.

Cole acknowledged Exeter are underdogs but pointed to the club's history of rising to big occasions. He highlighted their recent cup pedigree, including forcing Nottingham Forest to a penalty shootout in the 2025 FA Cup fourth round after knocking out Championship side Oxford United. "I always feel like we rise to the occasion and step up well," Cole told BBC Radio Devon.

The midfielder also praised how the new-look squad assembled after the summer exodus of established players has begun to gel. "We're a new group with a lot of younger, inexperienced players, but you can see now they're starting to flourish," he said, adding that consistency is improving as the players adapt to League Two football.