City Fight Hard, But Have No Luck At Sheffield

Tuesday January 17th 1978.

Wednesday Ground, Hillsborough, attendance 9,596.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2 EXETER CITY 1.

A penalty kick, which was a very harsh decision, set the scene for a disappointing evening for Exeter City at Hillsborough, Sheffield. The unfortunate set-back came 27 minutes after the start of the game when Giles met a crossed ball in the penalty area by chesting it down. Despite protests, and after some hesitation and the consultation of a linesman, the referee interpreted Giles's interception as "hand ball" and confirmed his decision of a penalty award to Sheffield. Up came Rushbury to beat Key from the spot with a crashing drive to the roof of the net. None of the Sheffield players appealed for a penalty.

In the second half the City looked the more dangerous side, and they were desperately unlucky when Rushbury almost put through his own goal in trying to clear from Kellow. They were even more unlucky in the 80th minute when Wylde got a freakish goal with Key grounded on all fours in the goalmouth. This goal returned the game to the home side's favour, Kellow having got an equalising goal for the City in the preceding five minutes.

Sheffield Wednesday:-
Bolder; Walden and Grant; Rushbury, Cusack, and Mullen; Wylde, Porterfield, Tynan, Johnson, and Leman.

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