At last! United get those winning breaks.

Cambridge United 2-0 Exeter. 

The first break came after 15 minutes when Alan Banks, the former Cambridge City striker, made his one declare contribution to the game by shooting power fully past Peter Vasper from 30 yards. The ball struck the angle of the post and bar, bounced down and spun back away from goal. The Exeter players claimed a goal but the referee ruled otherwise.  The second stroke of luck came five minutes into the second half after a goalless first period. Bob Wilson had punched punched out John Gregson's centre straight to John Collins, who volleyed it smartly back into a crowded goal mouth. His shot was going wide until it hit Ivan Hollett on the the back and flew into the corner of the net. This was the luck United had been needing to get back on the winning trail after a run of matches when all the breaks seemed to be going against them. Exeter, with six points from their previous five away games had come to Cambridge confident of adding to their 1-0 victory over United earlier in the season. But apart from Banks's first half effort they seemed unlikely to fulfil their hopes. Throughout the first half the game had all the signs of a goalless draw with United's lack of confidence always obvious. Horrey was able to behind the visitors defence almost at will but his finishing did not measure up to his approach work. No one else seemed to know how to score either. Indeed it was hard to remember one clear cut chance created in the whole match. Even when John Collins popped up to score the second goal eight minutes from tome it was hardly a chance. Peter Vasper had sent the ball deep into the Exeter half and again the alert Horrey fastened on to it. His pass found Collins with his back to  goal and marked by two defenders. But, to his credit, he managed to turn and drive a low shot inside the near post almost hindered. Bill Cassidy, who came on as a late substitute for Gregson, almost snatched a third with a snap shot that which cannoned away for a cormer off a defender.

CAMBRIDGE UNITED:
Vasper, Walker, Meldrum, White, Eades, Slack, Horrey Collins) Hollett, Harris, Greg's (Cassidy)

EXETER:
Wilson, Crawford, Blain, Parker, Newman, Balson, Rowan, Banks, Gadston (Corr) Binney, Morris.

Match Report by David Hallett


MONDAY 8th MARCH 1971.

JIMMY GILES AN EXETER CITY PLAYER.

Exeter City today beat the Thursday transfer deadline when they signed Aldershot's 24 year old centre half Jimmy Giles for a fee of around £3,000, City manager John Newman began negotiations for the player last week, a player who had interested him for some timeWhen Exeter visited Aldershot a fortnight ago, Giles came on as substitute and headed the home side into the leadCity drew the game 2-2, Six footer Giles was at Swindon Town for four years and made 12 first team appearances, While at Aldershot he made well over 50 appearances and was their Player of the Year last season. He will continue to train at Aldershot for a while until he finds suitable accomodation in Exeter to move into.

TUESDAY 9th MARCH 1971.

DEVON PROFESSIONAL BOWL SEMI FINAL.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 2-1 EXETER CITY 1

Scorers:
Plymouth Burnside, Hinch,
Exeter Binney.

Attendance : 1,920,

Although Exeter staged a late fightback they were never really any match for Argyle who dominated the game from the start, Argyle went ahead through Burnside in the 28th minute and a minute later the same player shot wide from the penalty spot. Hinch headed Argyle's second goal in the 49th minute. Exeter's defence was given a hectic time. Argyle created enough chances to have sewn the match up well before the interval, but they allowed City to hit back with a goal from Fred Binney 8 minutes from the end, In fiarness to Exeter they were below strength with Alan Banks, Joe Gadston, Barry Rowan, and Mike Balson all left out, Nevertheless John Corr missed a couple of useful chances, Campbell Crawford broke through with a dazzling run starting in his half but shot wide when he should have done better, John Mitten had a disappointing match although he combined with Corr to lay on Binney's goal, City player manager John Newman was involved in an accident with Hinch and soon afterwards the Argyle striker was substituted by Bickle.