Penalty Wipes Out Bowker's Goal

Exeter City And Newport To Replay

Saturday November 26th 1977.

Somerton Park, Newport, attendance 6,227.

NEWPORT COUNTY 1 EXETER CITY 1.

In the first round F. A. Cup-tie at Newport the City took the lead against their Fourth Division opponents on the hour, but with the end of the match in sight Newport equalised from the penalty spot, Saxton having brought down Clark as the Newport man was going through.

Holman and Bowker had shots saved by Plumley in a bright opening by the City and when Newport attacked Goddard shot wide from an easy position. Neither side on the general run of the play was any better than the other in a moderate and unexciting first half.

In the 59th minute, however, Exeter went ahead with a nice goal. The move began when a free kick put Jennings in possession on the left- hand touchline. Jennings curled the ball in with a first time cross to the goalmouth, where Bowker connected perfectly to score with a header. Newport's penalty was converted by Goddard.

Newport County:- Plumley; Derrett and Bell; Emanuel, R.Walker, and Aizlewood; Guscott, Goddard, Clark, Byrne, and Williams.

Exeter City:- Key; Templeman and Hore; Bowker, Saxton, and Hatch; Hodge, Kellow, Randell, Holman, and Jennings.

Referee:- Mr E.Hughes of Weston-super-Mare.

The teams will now replay the match at St James's Park on Wednesday next, by floodlight, kick off 7.30 p.m.