POINTS COUNT: BUT CITY MUST IMPROVE

Easter Monday March 30th.

Exeter City 1 Chester 0.

With Exeter City in such a precarious position near the bottom of the League, points are needed more than performances at this stage of the season. And this was the story at St James's Park on Bank Holiday evening, when they eased their worries slightly by beating Chester. But while they had to win this game, it was nevertheless a ragged display by Exeter, in fact, one of their poorest of the season. With two home matches still to play the City should reach a safety mark, but they still have to improve on performances such as this one. On the other hand, they played well in both their Easter away matches yet failed to take a point from either. On Monday night it was the complete opposite. Exeter struggled and the Chester goalkeeper did not have a lot to do. In attack the City were void of ideas, and the City supporters can never have seen Binney so ineffective. No doubt, some of this is due to the playing of a four- three three system, and Fred Binney would be more dangerous with orthodox wingers in the team. Parker, a player who never spares himself, was carried off the field on a stretcher just before half-time, but his injury was not as bad as was at first feared. He suffered bruising around the ankles. Although they failed to score the Chester forwards were better than Exeter's and they might have had a penalty in the 30th minute when Sharples brought down Provan. The referee waved aside appeals, and Exeter were lucky to escape. The winning goal came when Parker slotted a pass through to Mitten, who scored with a fine left-footed shot. 

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

CHESTER,
Carling; Cheetham, Bradbury; Ashworth, Turner, Sutton; Dearden, Tarbuck, Draper, Provan ???

Attendance 5,722.

Match Summary 

With Exeter City in such a precarious position near the bottom of the Fourth Division table they need the points more than performances at this stage of the season, This was the story of the match against Chester, for while City won they did it in a way that left a lot to be desired. Exeter struggled up front where they were genrally devoid of any ideas and Carling in the Chester goal had very little to do, The City defence played well with Campbell Crawford and Graham Parker having fine games. Bob Wilson had another good game producing some fine saves. Chester used the ball quite well at times and might have had a penalty in the 30th minute when Brian Sharples brought down Provan but the referee waved aside the Chester appeals, Seven minutes from the end the goal that City so desparartely needed finally cameParker slotted a pass through to John Mitten who scored with a fine left foot shot. Steve Morris came on for the injured Parker near the end and should really have scored but his shot rebounded against the goalkeepers legs to safety.

FOLEY'S POST.
Theo Foley, the former Exeter City full-back, has taken over as the acting manager of Charlton Athletic following the dismissal of the club's manager, Eddie Firmani.