SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY 1971.

BUSY BEES BUT CITY HAD STUNG.

EXETER CITY 1,
Wilson; Crawford, Blain; Parker, Newman, Balson; Rowan, Banks, GadstonBinney, Morris,
BRENTFORD 0
Phillips, Hawley, Renwick, Turner, Gelson; Nelmes, Docherty, Ross, Cross, Graham, Bence.

Scorers Exeter Binney.

Attendance 3,892.

Bees tumble
Report from the Acton Gazette
Exeter 1-0 Brentford 

BRENTFORD boss Frank Blunstone had no complaints about the result of a game in which Brentford certainly did not show their best form and he summed up his side's play succinctly enough when he said: "We looked lethargic all through. It was one of our worst performances in recent weeks."

Yet because Exeter let Brentford off the hook through missing four of five golden chances. Brentford could still have managed to bring away a point. It was the sort of match in which the fortunes went both ways. In the first half Brentford were mainly on the defensive. and they must have counted themselves lucky to change over still on even terms. Exeter had made all the running in this half and in the first few minutes had a couple of wonderful opportunities which they threw away. At the start of the second half Brentford began to get a grip on the game and it was Exeter's turn to have to defend grimly. Their left back Jimmy Blain had to kick two Brentford attempts off the line.

Then thanks to some tenacious play by right back Campbell Crawford. Exeter got the goal that was to win them the match. The move was finished off by Fred Binney in the 64th minute. but in the last few minutes Exeter had to withstand some terrific pressure to hold on to the lead. Big centre-forward Roger Cross looked certain to get an equaliser. but his shot hit an upright and he headed another just over the bar. Said Mr. Blunstone: "I was disappointed with the boys, and I don't think we deserved a point. Mind you, this was our sixth away game out of seven. All have been long journeys covering about three thousand miles. and now we could do with a nice home game. "I think too. we probably might have had a reaction from the cup run. I expected it last week. but we had a good draw at York and it came in this game."

BANKS PRESENTATION FOR RECORD.

Exeter City's popular inside forward Alan Banks was presented with an engraved silver salver for breaking the club's goalscoring record previously held by Graham Rees with 89 goalsHe was presented with the salver by the Mayor of Exeter, himself a former City player, Percy Hilton, before the kick off against Brentford

RED AND WHITE CLUB KEPT THE CITY SOLVENT.

Exeter City's decision to cut themselves off completely from The Red and White Club brought the following statement from Mr Les Kerslake the club's secretary and former chairman; - The Red and White Club will definitely continue and money will be used for local sporting organisations and charities, I would like to emphasise that the break with Exeter City Football Club was no wish of ours. This came about solely because the club wish to control all their own fundraising. This they are perfectly entitled to do of course," Kerslake added; At one time in the Exeter club's history, Exeter City could have been bankrupt and could have gone under but for The Red and White Club contributions, which all the way through has been completely voluntary effort to help the club." In a television interview last night Walter Rice, Exeter City's Press Relations Officer, and a member of the board said that the club's audited accounts over the last 19 years showed that The Red and White Club had contributed £86,000, In reply Kerslake said; "I would point out that for many years while I was secretary of the Grecians Association, as a courtesy to that organisation, all money from The Red and White Club was passed through them for transfer to Exeter City Football Club, Therefore this does not show in the books as being a donation from The Red and White Club, None of the present directors wre connected with the club during those years and had no knowledge of this arrangement, As far as I am concerned the past has gone, and we must all look forward to the future in our own way."