MONDAY 27th DECEMBER 1976

THE PERFECT FESTIVE GIFTS

Exeter City 3 Torquay United 0

Exeter City team: Key, Templeman, Hore, Weeks, Saxton, Clapham, Hodge, Kellow, Robertson, Beer, Jennings.

Torquay United team: Lee, Lynch, Sandercock, Bence, Kruse, Dunne, Provan (Twitchin), Rudge, Boulton, Brown, Kennedy.

Scorers: Exeter: Saxton, Kellow, Jennings.

Attendance: 6,446.

Exeter City brought their own glad tidings and great joy to the start of the Christmas and New Year holiday period with a thoroughly deserved victory over Devon rivals Torquay United. It was the perfect send off for popular manager John Newman who takes over at Grimsby Town tomorrow.

Before the kick off Newman was given a tremendous reception as he received two gifts. City secretary Pat Wakeham presented him with a silver salver on behalf of the staff, whilst Derek Singleton handed over a bottle of whisky from the "Cowshed Choir."

Exeter never looked back after taking the lead in the first minute. John Templeman's right wing corner was flicked on by Alan Beer and Bobby Saxton, having moved up from defence, pushed the ball into the net. City were both purposeful and powerful as they continued to push Torquay back. It was high class, entertaining football, Man of the match was Lammie Robertson, who gave a performance that was sheer perfection. Although Torquay came into the game a little more in the second half, they never truly looked like upsetting Exeter. City went further ahead in the 35th minute. After a corner had been cleared, John Hore played the ball back into the danger area and Tony Kellow took his opportunity with perfect finishing.

Exeter struck again in the 75th minute. Robertson started the move near his own penalty area. Templeman pushed the ball out to Kellow who sent over a cross for Nicky Jennings to score with a strong shot.