Friday 2nd April 1976
Southport v Exeter City 

Galley Ends City's Promotion Hopes

Even the most optimistic Exeter City supporter must now surely reconcile himself to another season of Division IV soccer at St. James's Park. Exeter have only six matches left, and even if they take maximum points.

by Tony Phillips

They would end with 57- not, in my opinion, enough for promotion this season. City had to win at Southport last night to maintain their outside chance-and losing 1-0, their fight to get into the top four is as good as over,

Southport went into the match already doomed to having to seek re-election, but they played better than a side in the bottom four. Exeter, however, gave an extremely disappointing performance. It was such an anti-climax after last week's total humiliation of Huddersfield They never approached the heights of that display. Just when they needed A good result, it did not happen.

Shot saved

Southport were much the better side in the first half. They were more decisive and often quicker to the ball They looked menacing as they built up from the back, and from these situations they often gained width and more room for themselves. There was a two-minute spell when Alan Beer hit the post and had another shot saved, but this was not the fluent City of a week ago. They had more of the game in the second half, but they never really looked like scoring. The final thrust and push was lacking. 

Bobby Saxton, Tony Morrin, and Southport's John Johnston were booked, and for Morrin, this means he has gone over the top of the 20-point disciplinary mark.

The two incidents involving Beer came in the 27th and 29th minutes. On the first occasion, Keith Bowker dummied well from a Lammle Robertson pass, and Beer moved in to see his shot hit the base of the far post. Then the same formation posed Southport again at the back, and this time Beer's shot was saved at full length by David Ryan. The goal that decided the match came in the 15th minute. After Richard Key had moved off his line to punch away a cross, the ball was played in by Tommy O'Neil, and leading scorer Keith Galley applied the final touch. Dewsnip almost added second in the last minute but shot wide with only Key to beat.

Attendance: 1.514

Southport
Wilson; Higham, Hughes; Ryan, Sibbald, Snookes; Dewsnip, O'Riley, Galley, O'Neil, Johnston.

Exeter City
Key; Templeman, Hore; Morrin, Saxton, Hatch; Wingate, Bowker, Robertson, Beer, Jennings.

Saturday, April 3rd 1976.
Western League.
City Reserves 4 Bridport 1

FOUR of the five goals scored at St. James' Park came from defensive errors.

The first occurred after 19 minutes when the Bridport keeper fumbled the ball, giving away a corner. He failed to hold the cross and Holman headed easily home. Three minutes later Holman lashed his second into the net through the Bridport defensive wall. Stuart McGowan pulled one back from a set piece after 38 minutes. Alan Hooker added a third for City after 68 minutes when the Bridport defence failed to clear a corner, and Ford scored No. 4 from 25 yards in the last minute.