Saxton's goal helps Exeter clinch it.

EXETER CITY 3
(Kellow, Beer, Saxton)

SOUTHEND 1
(Morris)

By Gordon Hines a Sunday Independent 

2nd April 1977

FACING stubborn Fourth Division promo- tion rivals Southend, City won with plenty to spare, after first half goals from Tony Kellow and Alan Beer, and a second half clincher from player Bob Saxton. manager

Since there were so many, it is difficult to pin- point the highlights and good points in City's dis- play.

It was in their finishing where Exeter stood aloft from Southend and where the game was inevitably decided.

Kellow who has lost a stone in weight in recent weeks through worrying about a string of inept per- formances, began it all after 41 minutes.

Thanks to two splendidly won aerial battles by John Hore and Nicky Jennings, Kellow was left with time and room in which to lob the ball over keeper Neil Freeman for his 20th goal of the season.

Four minutes later with Referee Spencer con- sulting his watch for half - time the game was as good as stitched up when Beer took advantage of hesitancy in the Southend defence and chipped the ball wide of Freeman's out-stretched right hand.

Kellow, who has lost a had the chance to make victory certain, shortly after the interval, but it was left to Saxton to make absolutely sure.

Saxton signalled for Hatch to take charge of the defence while he joined the throng of players for Jennings' 75th minute corner. And when Jennings curled one in at the near post, Saxton timed a perfect header beyond Freeman from three yards.

Right winger Colin Morris gave the score some respectability from out-classed Southend's point of view, with a consolation goal two minutes from time.

But while it may affect goal difference at the end of the season, it certainly didn't detract from Exeter's overall performance