Saturday November 15th 1969.

EXETER CITY (CORR, BANKS) 2 FULHAM 0

The first round of the Cup invariably throws up one or two surprise results, and this year there was one of these at St. James's Park, Exeter, where the City knocked out Fulham, a strong side who are at present standing tenth in the Third Division League Table, and who are captained by the famous English International, Johnny Haynes. Exeter's goals were both obtained in the second half. Conway missed a penalty kick for the Londoners when they were a goal behind, and this moght well have proved the turning point of the match. It was a hard working performance by Exeter, and a result that could mean more money in the kitty for the club. Now the supporters will be anxious to see who will be drawn against Exeter City in the second round. From the kick off Morris tackled Conway to break up a Fulham attack and passed back to Shearing being still under pressure from Conway. Then Mitten tried a 30 yards shot which Seymour fielded with no difficulty. A good move between Blain, Pleat, and Banks was scrambled away by the Fulham defence, and after four minutes play the game was stopped for Gilchrist, who had ducked low to head away a centre from Pleat, to be treated for a head injury. He was eventually led to the dressing room with a towel covering a bad wound on the side of his head.
FULHAM THE BETTER SIDE.

Blain had to make a hasty clearance at the expense of a corner when Earle dummied his way past two defenders. A second corner followed, and this time Morris headed clear. So far it was Fulham who looked the better side. They were first to the ball and once in possession they attacked swiftly on either wing or through the centre. Their variation of moves mostly had the City rearguard running and chasing. Blain again had to nod the ball behind for a corner, and from the flag-kick Fulham almost scored. Callaghan shot hard, but straight at Shearing, who fumbled, but recovered to grab the spinning ball as it bounced almost on the goal-line.

The pressure on Exeter was relieved when they were awarded a free kick in the Fulham half of the field. Corr's first centre came back to him, and when he put the ball over again Sharples had a chance but his weak shot was kicked away by Matthewson.

GILCHRIST REPLACED.

Fulham had evidently decided that Gilchrist would not be fit enough to continue, and when the game was twenty minutes old the substitute player, Tranter, ran on to the field. A long clearance from Shearing was handled by a Fulham defender ten yards outside the penalty area, and from the free kick Banks only just failed to make contact before Seymour. The players collided and Seymour needed the trainer's sponge. Exeter were now beginning to settle down and play with more confidence after their slow start. Pleat neatly dribbled round Callaghan but his centre was intercepted by Seymour. When Haynes himself tried a shot from twenty yards it was saved quite easily by Shearing, then when Pleat tried to force his way through he was pulled up for an infringement.

BARRETT S DIVING HEADER.

After 28 minutes Fulham had their best chance so far when Earle put the ball across accurately to Barrett, but the winger's diving header skidded well wide. Banks tried to score with a header from Mitten's pass but the height of Richardson enabled him to nod the ball back to Seymour, who kicked clear.

Half-time City 0 Fulham 0.

Fulham began the second half with a brisk attack and won a corner off Blain, and Shearing did well to collect and hold the high centre when under pressure from Earle and Brown. Play was transferred to the other end and a high centre from Morris was gathered safely by Seymour. A further attack by Fulham ended with Conway being whistled up for offside.

PENALTY APPEAL.

Barrett, switching positions with Earle, came through dangerously in the middle but was stopped by an excellent tackle from Crawford. Then in the 55th minute there was a strong appeal by Exeter for a penalty. Banks had raced between two defenders and seemed to be clear when he went down in the Fulham area, but the pleas for a spot kick cut no ice with Mr Washer.
However, it really did not matter, for after exactly an hour's play the City scored. Crawford overlapped to take a short pass and crossed the ball into the goalmouth. After two attempts by the City forwards and a miraculous one-handed save by Seymour from Mitten, Banks got possession and played a short pass on the six yards line for Corr to screw the ball into the net. This was just what Exeter needed, and Pleat followed up in the next minute with a beautiful swerving drive which however went too high.

FULHAM NOW DESPERATE.

Now the Londoners were trying desperately to save the match. In fact they almost went further behind after 68 minutes when Seymour had to save first from Pleat and then from Mitten. Then with 19 minutes remaining Fulham were awarded a penalty, though there was some confusion as to why it was given. Conway, who is the Football League's leading goalscorer, stepped up to take the kick, and to the consternation of the crowd and of his team-mates made a complete hash of it. With a weak kick he sent the ball harmlessly wide. The Exeter players jumped for joy. With a quarter of an hour to go Exeter's substitute, Bruce Walker, took over from Pleat. And with ten minutes left Exeter increased their lead. Banks chased a long pass from the defence. His hard shot was partly blocked by Seymour but the ball carried on into the net. Five minutes later it looked as though Fulham had reduced the City's lead when Conway scored with a cross-shot, but the linesman's flag was raised because another Fulham player had strayed offside.

The official attendance was 9,181.

City: Shearing; Crawford, Blain; Morris, Sharples, Balson; Corr, Banks, Wingate, Mitten, and Pleat. Sub Walker.

Fulham: Seymour; Gilchrist, Callaghan; Richardson, Matthewson, Horne; Conway, Brown, Earle, Haynes, and Barrett. Sub Tranter.

Referee:- Mr M.E.Washer, of Bristol.
Linesmen: Messrs A.P.Baker and C.Truscott.