BRENTFORD'S IRON DEFENCE WAS TOO SOLID FOR EXETER CITY

Good Friday March 27th 1970

Brentford 2 City 0. 

There was unfortunately no "happy return" to Brentford on Good Friday for the City centre forward, Joe Gadston, who learned his footballing crafts at Griffin Park. He was held in a vice-like grip by his former team-mate Peter Gelson as Exeter went down by two goals to none. Exeter adopted a four- three three formation with John Wingate and Fred Binney joining Gadston as the front men. They made little impression on Brentford's "iron curtain" defence, which has allowed the opposition only one goal in the last eight matches, although a couple of chances were missed by Binney as he attempted to re-open his scoring account for Exeter City. Exeter's strength stemmed from their midfield trio, with Parker at his most energetic best and Mitten not far behind him. The City back four had their moments of crisis with Sharples having in Roger Cross, the old West Ham United centre, a rare handful to deal with. Cross is tall, hefty, fast, and clever, and really is a player who is too good for Fourth Division football. Both the City full-backs tackled well, particularly Crawford, who practically shut Docherty out of the game to all intents purposes. and

CRAWFORD WAS ON THE GOAL LINE.

The only time Docherty ever got within shooting distance was once in the first half when his fierce drive was cleared by Crawford, on the goal line, with a spectacular overhead kick. Crawford sustained a cut over one eye in the last minute, and when Exeter brought on Morris to sub for him it must have constituted the shortest stint on record. Cross scored for Brentford in the 44th minute, when he drove home a long lobbed centre from Jones. Exeter always held the threat of an equaliser until the 87th minute when a throw-in from touch caught their defence on the wrong foot. Ross's header looked bound for the net until Sharples jumped up and punched the ball out. Exeter's respite was short-lived, however, as Ross stepped up to shoot hard into the net from the resultant penalty.

Exeter City: Wilson; Crawford, Blain; Parker, Sharples, Balson; Giles, Binney, Gadston, Wingate, Mitten.

Attendance 10,110.