SATURDAY 4th SEPTEMBER 1976

FIVE MINUTE SPELL DECIDES MATCH Fourth Division

Colchester United 3 Exeter City 1

Colchester United team: Walker, Dyer, Williams, Bunkell, Smith, Packer, Garwood, Gough, Froggatt, Allinson, Cook

Exeter City team: Key, Templeman, Hooker, Hore, Clapham, Hatch, Jordan (Weeks), Kellow, Morrin, Beer, Jennings.

Scorers: Colchester: Froggatt, Garwood, Cook. City: Smith (o.g.).

Attendance: 2,516

Two goals in a five minute spell in the second half changed the course of Exeter City's match at Colchester United.

At half-time City seemed to be heading for a good result, but then United struck and Exeter were beaten for the first time in a Division Four fixture this season. City looked a very lively side before the interval, with Tony Kellow looking particularly dangerous. It was Colchester, however, who took a 25th minute lead when John Templeman miskicked. Froggatt raced on to the ball, and despite the attentions of Peter Hatch, he had little trouble in stroking the ball into the net.

Six minutes later City were on terms. Nicky Jennings hit a hard, low cross, which was diverted into his own net by Smith, with goalkeeper Walker having come out of his goal. The game continued to be entertaining with both sides producing good football and at that stage the final result could have gone either way.

Exeter went behind in the 54th minute, Gough crossing to Cook to move in with a fine header. Five minutes later City were in more trouble, when Garwood netted with a superbly struck shot.

Exeter's defence, for the first time in the game, were under pressure as Colchester threatened again, but they held out until the final whistle.