Exeter City’s Under-18s are set to return to the pitch following their Christmas break after what has been a highly competitive season across several competitions so far. 

However, following their elimination from their various cup entries, all eyes will be on their final five matches in the Youth Alliance South West division, with the hope they can achieve a top-half finish, and therefore qualify for the top Merit League in the second half of the campaign. 

Merit League One sees the top halves of the South West, and South East divisions, face off in a league format, where every team plays each other just once in the hope of gaining the crown of being the best in the southern part of the country. Meanwhile, Merit League Two is comprised of the bottom halves of both divisions, and follows a similar format. 

The Grecians currently sit sixth in the 10-team league, however, they have played more games than a lot of the sides around them, so an upturn in results may be needed if they want to achieve a top-five spot. 

Brad Miller’s men put in a superb performance last time out before the winter hiatus when they were knocked out of the FA Youth Cup at St James Park by Oxford United U18s, but their wastefulness in front of goal ultimately ended up separating the two teams. 

While City’s youth side have been a confident group for most of the season, they will also be buoyed by the fact that four of their final five fixtures are against clubs who sit below them in the standings. 

Exeter’s youngsters begin their January return to the football pitch with a trip to South Wales to face Newport County U18s, before they host their Welsh compatriots a week later. The Devonians end January with a game against Bristol Rovers U18s, before another home clash with Oxford on February 4.  

The Grecians end their league campaign with an away fixture against Forest Green Rovers U18s, when they will learn their final league position, and their fate in terms of what Merit League they will be in.