Ray Strikes Early Bonus For Exeter

29th August 1981

Attendance 8,647

Huddersfield Town 1: Kindon (pen) 46 

Exeter City 1: Pratt 4


EXETER CITY made the long journey back home well satisfied after taking a fully deserved point from a fast and furious match.

City burst into action with a goal after just four minutes from Ray Pratt and went on to have a large share of the first half possession. The second half saw them lose their way somewhat, with passes going astray but there could be no question about their right to the draw.

For all their pressure after half time, Huddersfield made Ian Main bring off just one save near the end when he had to carry a vicious shot by midfielder Brian Stanton.

Ironically, it was City's star man Joe Cooke who made the mistake which helped to get Huddersfield back in the match. He fouled Steve Kindon in the penalty area after chasing a long through pass,

Preston referee Roberts pointed to the spot and Kingdon joyfully slammed the ball home with his penalty kick. In the first half Huddersfield might have been awarded a 30-minute penalty which seemed more likely to be given than the foul by Cooke ce in in the second half.

Cooke brought down Hud- dersfield striker Peter Fletcher who was playing his first League match for 16 months, the referee decided not to award a penalty.

Huddersfield had made a useful start with a couple of promising attacks but then Exeter took that early lead. They won a corner in their very first attack. Dave Pullar took the flag kick and Peter Hatch coming up from de- fence headed the ball towards the Huddersfield goal. It somehow squeezed through to Pratt who scored with a neat shot from ten yards.

Exeter team:- 
Main, Rogers M, Hatch, Davey, Cooke, Roberts L, Rogers P, Pratt, Kellow, Lester, Pullar.