The start of the season has come with City claiming their first away point of a new campaign at the home of Stevenage, Broadhall Way, writes Gareth Hughes.

The first game of the season is always a tough one to call, and 701 City fans made the journey to see how the Grecians would fair against their old adversaries. It’s just over 3 years since the teams faced each other, in a non league fixture, and they met again as Graham Westley and Borough secured their place in npower League One courtesy of a play-off final victory over Torquay last season.

Graham Davies who travelled with the coach from Sidmouth to watch the game commented, “Stevenage were a difficult team for opening match of season – a team still with momentum from their Wembley win. The Stevenage of old always set themselves up as a team who are hard to beat and as one would expect from them they play hard too. Saturday’s game was no different and a point away from home and first point of the season must be a good thing”

Overall and on balance it was probably a creditable point for the hosts, in what was their first game in English football’s third tier, and a reasonable point for Paul Tisdale’s team which began the campaign without 3 players, who last season bagged 35 goals between them. Matt Taylor, Jamie Cureton and Ryan Harley left at the end of the season for pastures new. The three main new signings for this season were Lenny Pidgeley to replace Paul Jones, Guillem Bauza who is an attacking player, and a central defender in Danny Coles .In addition there has a been a positive move to bring on some of the younger fringe players who have come up through the academy and we can look forward to seeing them in action over the next few weeks. Other new signing over the summer is that Reading’s Nicholas Bignall on loan for a month. The 21-year-old, who can play on the wing or up front, has made four first team appearances for Reading, including one as a substitute in the league. He is a product of the Royals youth academy and has scored two senior goals for the Royals in three starts in the League Cup. Callum McNish whose previous club was Southampton has also signed and is another exciting young prospect and one to watch out for.

Other news over the summer is that the pitch that was laid in 2010 had drainage problems throughout the 2010-11 campaign, and was torn up at the end of last season. Having been played on when City beat Derby County in a pre season friendly the new grass faired very well. On Tuesday there was another test for both the Grecians and the new pitch in the shape of Somerset rivals Yeovil Town in round one of the Carling Cup. There was plenty of good news for the 3,800 fans as City triumphed over Yeovil with a 2-0 entertaining win and for the first time in 18 years the Grecians progressed through to the 2nd round of this competition. A debut goal for Spanish striker Guillem Bauza and a late tap-in for Chris Shephard put the Grecians into Thursday’s draw for the Second Round. The victory sets up the team for another home game on Saturday against MK Dons who on Tuesday beat Cheltenham Town 4-1 which followed their 2-2 draw at home to Hartlepool. Early days yet on how the team will shape up, and there is no doubt that there are promising signs. Come on you reds!

Anyone interested in following City on their travels we have a coach leaving Sidmouth for a selection of away games. For more details please contact Di Lee on 01395 577567. We are always very keen to hear from those interested in learning more about us, and hopefully joining the East Devon Grecians. Check out our website http://www.eastdevongrecians.com/ or phone 01395 515552.

The next home game is tomorrow (August 13) against MK Dons with another game following quickly on Tuesday night (August 16) when City entertain Brentford (19.45).