Exeter City v Torquay

WEDNESDAY 24th AUGUST 1966.

CITY ARE LIKE A DAMP FIREWORK.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE 1st Round.

EXETER CITY 2
Jones; Smyth, Ley, Wilkinson, Harford, Thompson, Godfrey, Keeley, McLean, Kennedy Blain
TORQUAY UNITED 2.
Barnett; Burgess, Bond, Benson, Wyatt, Reid, Clarke, Spratt, Stubbs, Kirkman, Barnes,

Scorers:
Exeter McLean, Smyth,
Torquay; Kirkman, Spratt,

Attendance: 6,278.

Torquay were quick to close up in defence, quick to break into attack, against this City did not seem to have quite as much to offer. After a bright start they faded in midfield and Torquay found themselves with plenty of free men and time, meanwhile Kirkman headed a very good goal in the 18th minute only seconds after Ken Jones had stopped a great Barnes header with an even greater mid air save, In the second half things did not loook much different. Suddenly George McLean produced his goal, side footing Jack Kennedy's cross, and everything began to happen at once. Spratt scored direct from a free kick to regain the lead for Torquay, but within two minutes Smyth scored an incredible equaliser, floating what should have been a cross straight into the Torquay net. As in previous games City had looked quite well drilled and willing to run but about as powerless in shooting power as a wat firework. In all this game served only to emphasise the City's strong points and weaknesses,

Match Summary 
The City had a good test of their strnegth and ability in this first round Football League Cup-tie, for they will not meet many Fourth Division sides who are as fast and as good as Torquay United. Torquay were quick to close up in defence, quick to break into attack with accurate and wide-slung passes, and quick to vary their style to meet the demands of the game. Against all this the City in the first half did not have very much to offer, and it was no surprise when Kirkman with a header in the 18th minute opened the visitors' account. After the interval there was a noticeable improvement in the City's play, and McLean side-footed the ball home from Kennedy's cross. Spratt direct from a free kick gave Torquay the lead again, but in the closing minutes Smyth also from a free kick scored the City's second equaliser. This did not make it a happy return to St James's Park for Alan Barnett.