Football League (Freight Rover) Trophy

Southern Section 1st Leg 

Sending off seals City's fate.

Exeter defender Phil Coleman was sent off just before half-time in the 3-0 reverse at Newport. 

EXETER'S Wembley dream disappeared in the Somerton Park mud last night. They had defender Phil Coleman sent off after 43 minutes and saw former St. James' Park favourite Tony Kellow come on as substitute to put the tie beyond reach with a goal two minutes from time. The Devon club failed to make the most of the few clear cut chances they created in this Freight Rover Trophy first round, first leg and will find it hard to turn the tables in the return leg of the tournament that leads to Wembley. Full-back Linden Jones scored a goal in each half and Newport's victory margin should have been more clear cut. They spurned enough chances to have wrapped up the game by half-time. The ninth minute goal that gave the Gwent club the lead was freakish in nature. Keith Viney was penalised for a foul on David Giles and Tony Reid squared the free kick for Jones to strike a low drive from 25 yards that hit the base of Jeff Wood's right hand post. With the keeper sprawled in the goalmouth mud, the ball rebounded off the woodwork and was deflected into the net off his heel. Exeter, eager to improve a dismal sequence of one win in 15 games had Coleman sent off and two men booked before the interval. Symon Burgher was the first to be cautioned after six minutes to mar a promising debut by the teenager. He failed to retreat ten yards at a free-kick. Referee Ken Baker from Rugby added Viney's name to his book for a foul on Neville Chamberlain after minutes aud Coleman got his marching orders in the 43rd minute. Mr. Baker cautioned him for disputing a free-kick awarded against him for a challenge on Chamberlain then sent him to the dressing room for persisting to argue the point. Giles ought to have doubled Newport's lead after 21 minutes when Steve Cooper nudged on Chamberlain's cross but his header from six yards hit the bar. Minutes later Carter grazed the bar with a volley and Exeter. thankful to be still in the game would have drawn level with their first serious reply after 25 minutes but for the excellence of Mark Kendall. Trevor Morgan's 20 yard drive from Burgher's neat pass looped off a Newport defender, wrong- footing the 'keeper. But he still managed to turn the ball for a corner. A bad miss by Danny O'Shea robbed Exeter of a 37th minute equaliser from a move again prompted by Burgher. Martin Ling's diagonal Cross gave O'Shea a free header but the midfielder steered his effort wide from close in. Exeter again failed to make the most of a clear cut opening in the 54th minute, Morgan out- jumped his marker Boyle only to turn his header straight at Kendall. County's Tony Pulis was booked for a heavy tackle on Burgher minutes before Kellow substituted for Matthewson in the 63rd minute. Newport increased their lead in the 78th minute when Steve Harrower brought down Chamberlain just inside the penalty area and Mr. Baker had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Jones gave Wood no chance with his kick. Exeter's misery was completed two minutes from time when Kellow showed a flash of finishing flair that earned him 101 goals in 250 league games for the visitors to convert Chamberlains' cross for the third goal.

Newport (1) 3
Jones 2 (1 pen) Kellow
Exeter (0) 0


Attendance: 1,017