IT’S a familiar foe at the Recreation Ground on Saturday, as Exeter City make the journey up the A303.

Exeter and Aldershot Town came up together from the Conference last season and while the Devon club did it the hard way, via the play-offs, they have made the better start to life in League Two and sit fourth in the table, nine points above Aldershot.

Moroever, while The Grecians may have suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Unibond League One side Curzon Ashton last Saturday in the FA Cup, their league form suggests that they are away specialists.

They have won five of their seven away league matches, which is in stark contrast to Aldershot’s record of seven losses in a row on the road.

Aldershot’s unbeaten home record, however, does stand tall against Exeter’s prowess away and Saturday is all set for a titanic clash between two teams who know each other well from recent seasons.

Exeter is, after all, the magical place where Aldershot secured their promotion back to the Football League in April.

“We have happy memories of Exeter,” said Aldershot manager Gary Waddock this week. “But that is all they are: memories. It will forever be part of the club’s history but that will count for nothing at 3pm on Saturday.

“Exeter are a very good side, we know that from last season,” continued Waddock.

“I am not at all surprised that they are doing so well. They are a very good footballing side and have lots of confidence and belief. It will be a tough ask to keep them quiet as I expect them to look to have plenty of possession, it's the way they play.

“But we are looking to build on two good home performances, in the league win over Port Vale and the FA Cup draw with Rotherham.

"I was pleased with the way we settled down after Rotherham scored and did not wobble. We stayed on the front foot and that was encouraging. I do think we are beginning to learn what life against League Two opponents is about."

Waddock is worried, however, that Exeter being victims of the Curzon giantkilling may make them even more dangerous opponents.

“I think the cup exit will make them even more determined,” said Waddock. “It might make Saturday that much harder for us.”

While The Shots have continued to leak goals away from home — they will soon have the replay at Rotherham, followed by a trip to Chester in the league to try and put the away woes to bed — they have looked solid at the back at The Rec in their last two games.

Captain Rhys Day has certainly been a steadying influence and moving Chris Blackburn to right back against Rotherham made the defence look even more solid.

“Rhys has done really well since he came back in,” said Waddock. “But it is a bit of a strange one really because Anthony Charles and Chris Blackburn did well together before Rhys returned and Nikki Bull had some good games in goal.

“But we were still letting in goals, despite good individual performances. Yes, we did look very solid on Saturday but that’s not to say it’s the right back four for every game.”

Still, Waddock is likely to stick with Anthony Straker at left back, with Day and Anthony Charles in the middle and Blackburn at right back.

Right back has been a problem position for Waddock all season, with Louie Soares clearly more suited to a more attacking role and first Ben Starosta and then Junior Osborne struggling to pin down the position.

Osborne’s contract with The Shots is up at the end of December and he clearly needs to rediscover his best form if he is to remain at the club.

“Junior has done well for us,” said Waddock. “But he has also had a long time out of the game with injury and perhaps that is why some of his performances have not been quite as good as he or we would like.

“Both he and Junior Mendes [the striker, whose contract is also up at the end of December] must prove to the club that they are worthy of a new deal.”

So, does Waddock have his eye on other players with whom to strengthen his squad?

"I'm always on the look out for new players," said Waddock. "I spend a lot of time watching games during the week, for a start"

But whether or not there are funds for new arrivals, either on loan or in the January transfer window, is another matter. "It's a case of finding a penny or two under a rock," said Waddock. So, the implication is that there is money available - but only a very small amount.

Mendes is fit again after a stop-start season but is unlikely to oust either John Grant or Danny Hylton up front.

Grant, fresh from holding his nerve to equalise from the spot in injury-time against Rotherham, will be hoping that one goal brings another.

“John has looked upbeat in training this week,” said Waddock. “It took a brave man to take that penalty after missing one the week before at Morecambe and all credit to him. He’s played quite well in recent weeks and has worked very, very hard - but was not getting the reward until that goal.”

Hylton is under pressure for a start from Morgan, who continues to recover from a virus. There is nothing wrong with Hylton’s form or work rate but at some stage Waddock is likely to rest the teenager.

“Danny’s energy, enthusiasm and desire is superb,” said Waddock, who may yet give the youngster another start. "He looks tired, even when he's not, and is a real nuisance to opposition defenders."

Given that Exeter are expected to sit back and invite Aldershot on — and then try and pounce on the counterattack — Waddock may also consider playing Lewis Chalmers in the middle, alongside Ben Harding. Scott Davies may move out wide, if that is the case.

But, after such a good performance in the 1-1 draw with Rotherham, The Shots are not expected to make many changes.

Nor probably will Exeter, despite their first-choice team suffering the ignominy of the Curzon defeat.

They will be without Matt Gill, however, who has dictated their play from midfield this season. He was sent off at Curzon.

Steve Basham may well come in for Richard Logan, while Ryan Harley will probably replace Gill. Veteran Marcus Stewart is expected to start wide on the left.

Exeter’s 4-5-1 formation away from home, which quickly turns to 4-3-3 on the counterattack, has served them very well so far this season. But they did lose 6-1 at home to Chesterfield recently, which shows that they can be brittle.

Exeter have a poor record at The Rec too, including a 2-0 defeat 13 months ago, when The Shots remained patient and scored two late goals. Patience may prove a virtue this Saturday, too.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 3pm.