WEDNESDAY 23 AUGUST
EXETER CITY 3 SWANSEA CITY 0

With City's proud record in this competition all the fans were expecting an easy victory but not for us! In recent years Exeter have had the misfortune of not getting very far or embarrassing themselves in the early stages of cup competitions.

Defeat against the likes of Newport were bad enough, but when we did manage to get past the first hurdle (yes, we have done it, once or twice) a thrashing of the highest order occurred. Remember Aston Villa (no, neither do 1). So difficult match was a expected. The first half lived up to expectations with Swansea looking menacing up front and City's forwards being well contained. The teams seemed well matched and it looked as if a goal either way would decide it and then it would be back to Vetch Field for a hiding ... and then back to League action.

A competitive first half ended goaless. We were then treated to a spectacular second half as City just tore the Swansea team apart. Lee Bracey in the Swansea goal was peppered with shots and made several good saves to keep the score down. All the goals came in a twenty minute spell as the Welsh visitors fell apart and allowed us to dominate the game.

Dazza opened the scoring after Brian McDermott made a battling run down the by-line and provided a pin point cross for Darran to flick in, and then the floodgates opened. Richard Dryden missed an easy chance and Danny Bailey had a shot charged down. McDermott added the second with a shot he needed two attempts at. Terry Boyle & co in the Swansea defence were by now in tatters and by the end City could have had five or six. Rowbotham then added a third and his second with a tap in after fine work by Neville. This was not the end of Swansea's punishment as Whitehead had a rasping twenty yarder kept out courtesy of the underside of the bar. At the and I think the Swansea players were glad to hear the final whistle and they have a lot to make up in a difficult home leg. So who will we get in the second round, Aston Villa perhaps, or am I counting my chickens. We'll see 

CITY TEAM :
Walter, Hiley, Rogers, Vinnicombe, Whitehead, Rowbotham, Bailey, Taylor, McDermott, Neville, Dryden.

SWANSEA TEAM :
Bracey, Hough, Coleman, Melville, Boyle, James, Cobb, D'Auria, Phillips, Raynor,
Hutchison.

SCORERS :
1-0 Rowbotham,
2-0 McDermott,
3-0 McDermott.

ATTENDANCE : 2,777 (60 Swansea
fans).

BOB'S MAN OF THE MATCH:
Darran Rowbotham.