SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER 1976

CUP REPLAY BECKONS FOR CITY

F.A. CUP FIRST ROUND

Exeter City 1 Southend United 1

Exeter City team: Key, Hore, Hooker, Morrin, Saxton, Hatch, Weeks, Kellow, Robertson, Holman, Jennings.

Southend United team: Freeman, Banks, Ford, Laverick, Townsend (Cunningham), Moody, Pountney, Goodwin, Parker, Hadwin, Little.

Scorers: Exeter: Hatch. Southend; Pountney.

Attendance: 4,434

Southend United have now become the favourites to reach the second round of the FA Cup following this draw at St. James' Park. The Grecians are going to have to play a lot better in Monday evening's replay if they are to progress, for at one stage they looked a beaten side.

When Southend went ahead early in the second half it looked as though that might be the deciding goal, but Exeter gave themselves another chance with an equaliser ten minutes later. Exeter never really struck up a rhythm in their game. They did not put much together and City surely know they can play a good deal better. Southend even overcame losing Neil Townsend after just five minutes, when he sustained a fractured cheekbone. Ron Pountney put Southend ahead after 52 minutes, and 10 minutes later Peter Hatch headed the equaliser from a Tony Morrin free-kick.

"WE MUST NOT LET IT SLIP" SAYS NEWMAN

A quarter of the way through the season, Exeter City manager John Newman has been speaking about his team's progress so far.

"The last five league games have been most satisfying and has seen us edge our way to be among the front runners,"
said the City boss.

"We must be aware though and not run away with any pre-conceived ideas that we are on cloud nine. The top twelve teams are only three points behind the leading club. We are a quarter of the way through the season. Every team is hungry for success, and we must make sure that by our own efficiency we continue to snap at the heels of the leaders. A quick look over our shoulder and the constant breathing on the back of the neck makes our task all the more difficult and serves as reminder that we have to stretch our ability to the limit."

"We have been on this position before, and we have to be positive enough not to let it slip. We must push on so that at the end of the long road, we successfully finish the race."