City's Defeat Was a Shock for "Pool" Fans

Monday March 16th 1970 

Hartlepool 2 City 0.

Hartlepool, who were soundly beaten 60 by Exeter City at St James's Park in January, surprised themselves and their "fans" by turning the tables on the Devon team by two clear goals at the Victoria Road ground on Monday. Exeter never got going, and the home side beat them for speed and determination. Hartlepool desperately needed points to keep alive a hope of pulling clear of the relegation zone, and they gradually established a midfield command which made the final outcome more or less inevitable.

Hartlepool:- McPartland; Bircumshaw, Dobbing; Goad, Gill, Perry; Trail, Robson, Thomson, Walker, Young.

Exeter City:- Wilson; Crawford, Blain; Morris, Sharples, Parker; Giles, Banks, Gadston, Wingate, Mitten.

Subs:- Blowman (Hartlepool) Walker (City).

The City in fact could have found themselves on the end of a real hiding if Wilson had not been in top form. He distinguished himself with a number of fine saves which earned him a star rating. Gadston had a fruitless struggle in his efforts to get some decent attacks going, and altogether the City's forwards were ineffective inasmuch as they scarcely produced one shot of consequence during the whole of the game.

Attendance 1,980.