City Hang on to Early Lead

Oxford United Beaten At The Park

Saturday November 5th 1977.

St James's Park, attendance 4,830.

EXETER CITY 2 OXFORD UNITED 1.

The City had a real fight on their hands at St James's Park before they were able to overcome their visitors from Oxford.

Both sides could have had more goals, but from the City's viewpoint the game was decided when they swung into an explosive ten minutes period during the first half that produced goals from Bobby Hodge and Keith Bowker.

After an Exeter move broke down Oxford advanced dangerously, with the experienced Curran showing his skill, and the attack ended with the City defence scrambling the ball away for Saxton to kick clear.

After fifteen minutes, however, the City went ahead from the penalty spot when Jennings was brought down by Briggs. Up stepped Hodge to hammer a high shot into the net well wide of the goalkeeper. It was the first spot kick that Hodge had taken, he having been accorded the responsibility now that Robertson has been transferred to Leicester City.

There was no stopping Exeter now, and in the 24th minute they scored another goal. Templeman and Hodge between them split the defence, and with Burton out of his goal Bowker simply had to lob the ball into the net with no other player within ten yards of him.

Welton Rovers v Exeter City Reserves 
Western League 

Exeter City Reserves drew 1-1 with Welton Rovers on the latter club's new ground at Midsomer Norton.

Penalty miss by Roberts

Welton Rovers 1-1 Exeter City Res 

Neil's 50th minute goal gave Welton the lead. The same player almost scored again three minutes later when his shot struck a defender on the line. Roy Ireland equalised in the 60th minute and three minutes from time Roberts missed a penalty for Exeter