1977-09-17
Peterborough (a)

Western League
Saltash (h)

17th September 1977
Peterborough (a)

Key Penalty Save Gives City Vital Point

An at times below par Exeter Cily were still organised and disciplined enough to leave London Road with a point yesterday and so maintain their impressive start to the season Mind you, it was touch and go to14 minutes from time when brilliant goal keeper Richard Key dived across and obstructed Peterborough substitute John Couzins just inside the penalty area. Jeff Lee, in his 200th game for Posh marched all the way from his lett back position to take the spot kick, but Key redeemed himself with a dive to his left to make a not to difficult save. Key revealed afterwards that he had changed his mind before making the crucial save. He had reckoned on diving to the right. But Lee kept looking to the other corner and I changed my plan. If Key was relieved, then player-manager Bobby Saxton was doubly thankful. For it was was his delayed and finally timid reverse pass to Key which led to the penalty and Key's subsequent action was understandable with a clear goal facing Cousins if he had wriggled free. It was a dramatic moment in the game in which Exeter played attractive possession football in the first half but lost all sense of chythm in the second.

This, principally, was because new signing Colin Randell understandably tired a shade in his first competitive match of the season and Exeter lost their fetch-and-carry men to knit their defence with attack. Exeter also struggled because Keith Bowkeг, booked after 6 minutes, lost his midfield battle against the impressive Rob Doyle. He was a constant headache, particularly when he angled crosess to his tall strikers Danny Butlin and Steve Camp.

It was a typical Doyle move that led to Peterborough's equaliser two minutes before half-time. He cut out a goalmouth clearance to Nicky Jennings out on the right and a deep cross found winger Tommy Hobson on the far post to head it in. Exeter's dejected look was justified at that period. They had established a hold an on the  game except for Doyle, and had taken the leaf through Tony Kellow after 21 minutes. A Jennings inswinging corner did the damage. Peterborough defenders appeared to wait for the goalkeeper Keith Waugh to cut out the danger but it fell right on  Kellow's head and he powered a header down and beyond Waugh for his fifth goal of the season. Peterborough copied Exeter's method of play in the second  half and it worked in as much as the gradually took over to force Exeter into taking desperate defensive measures.  They made City run and chase for the ball and subsequently gaps that previously weren't there, began to appear. Key, who made a fine first half save also made two fine stops from Alan Slough in the second half when the former Fulham player unleashed shots from long range. Both were on target, yet so was Key. Bowker was cautioned for a late but never vicious foul on Doyle. It summed up his feelings after such a torid afternoon. But at least he did get some satisfaction together with the Exeter side from the result. City will play better this season and lose.

PETERBOROUGH:
Waugh 6,  Hindley 7, Ross 7, Turner 7, Lee 6-Doyle 6, Carmichael 5. Slough 6-Butlin 5, Camp (with- drawn) 5, *ROBSON 8. Sub.: Cozens 6.

EXETER:
Key 7-Templeman 6, Saxton 7, Hatch 7, Hore 6 Bowker 6, Randell 6, Hodge 6- *KELLOW 8, Helman 6. Jennings 7.

Referee: J. Bent (Hemel Hemp. stead) 5.


Western League
Saltash (h)

Keeper saves Saltash

Exeter City Res 1-1 Saltash

A DRAW was a fair result although on this showing it is difficult to see why Exeter are struggling at the foot of the table. Bob Semmiens, the Saltash 'keeper, was in fine form, producing two miraculous saves in the first half to deny Roy Ireland and Graham Weeks, while at the other end, John Baugh showed why he has recently been holding down a regular first team spot.

Floated

Exeter were unfortunate to lose centre half Keith Ford after only 20 minutes, but their re-shuffled defence performed well until three minutes after the interval when new signing Peter Waterfield found room on the edge of the box and floated the ball into the roof of the net.

Exeter's young side were not disheartened and their endeavours were rewarded when Tony Mitchell headed home the equaliser from a corner. Both sides had chances to score after that, but the last word fittingly belonged to Semmiens who pulled off another great save in the dying minutes when Carpenter looked set to slot home the winner for Exeter.

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