Southend v City

SATURDAY 31st DECEMBER 1966.

VALUABLE DEFENSIVE POINT.

SOUTHEND UNITED 0
Roberts; Bentley, Birks; Slack, May, Beanland; Smillie, Woodley, Firmani, McKinven, Baber,

EXETER CITY 0
Smout; Smyth, Blain; Wilkinson, Harvey, Thompson; Keeley, Kennedy, Godfrey. McLean, McNeil,

Attendance: 6,581,

Exeter City defended virtually the entire 90 minutes of the game at Southend, They came off the field with a goalles draw and another very valuable away point, City's defence was under continual pressure from Southend, but somehow they kept them out and it was a very tired and leg weary eleven players who walked off the pitch at the end, Southend missed their chances and City were often let off but they must thank their defence in which goalkeeper John Smout had a great game, Both sides found it difficult to control the ball on the rain soaked pitch, Corners and free kicks were fired into the City defence but they were keeping them out, Little was seen of the City attack and it was not until the 75th minute that Exeter won a corner, As time ticked by Southend became more and more frustrated and City in a rare breakaway almost snatched a shock goal. Jimmy Blain's cross was put only inches wide by Peter Godfrey, John Smout made several fine saves throughout the match, In the last few minutes Southend became even more desparate, but the City defence held firm,

Match Summary 
Exeter City defended for virtually the entire ninety minutes of their game at Southend this afternoon. They came off the field with a 0-0 draw and another very valuable away point. The City's defence was under continual pressure from Southend, but somehow Exeter kept them out, and it was a very tired and weary set of players who walked off the pitch at the end.

WESTERN LEAGUE.

EXETER CITY 3
Jones ; Goad, Nash; Balson, Harford, Ley; Stuckey, Elliott, Wingate, Buckingham, Smith,


PLYMOUTH ARGYLE A' 1

Scorers:
Exeter Balson,Wingate, Smith,
Plymouth : Cradick

City Res 3 Argyle Res 1.
Wingate, Balson, and Smith scored a goal each for the City Reserves against Plymouth Argyle Reserves at St James's Park. Cradick scored for the Argyle.

MONDAY 2nd JANUARY 1967.

ARGYLE INTERESTED IN ERNIE WILKINSON

Exeter City manager Jock Basford said today he knew nothing about Plymouth Argyle showing interest in City's wing half Ernie Wilkinson, This was suggested in a national newspaper report yesterday. Mr Basford said that Wilkinson was playing very well lately and would not be surprised if other clubs were following his progress but he had heard nothing from Plymouth.

EXETER CITY SHOCK MOVE.

PLAYING STAFF TO BE CUT TO JUST 16 AND RESERVES SCRAPPED.

City are to cut their professional playing staff next season to a maximum of 16, and there Exeter will be no reserve side as supporters now know it. The news of this shock move came after last night's board meeting, Mr Rose, City's joint chairman, said there was no crisis, and wished to make it quite clear that cutting out the reserve side was a matter of policy. It was announced that Mr Les Kerslake, the organiser of the Red and White Club had been elected vice chiarman of Exeter City, but Mr Rose who recently returned from a South African holiday will continue to be joint chairman with Mr Fred Dart, Mr Rose will however be taking extended leave of absence from club duties because of ill health, The policy of the cluby this season was a progressive one, Next season they would have to run on a nucleus of players who would represent the first teamThey envisaged a pool of players numbering 16 all with first team potentialThe move is to keep pace with growing expenditure and the fact that gates are down this season, Rose said he was disappointed with the supporters response this season and the board wished to appeal to all supporters in Exeter to help the club."