SEPTEMBER 17th 1988

BOCHDALE 2 EXETER CITY 1

A much improved City performance when compared with the abysmal showing at Belle Vue, but once again thoughts on the homeward trip were of what might have been. After the superb performance against Halifax the previous week, most of us were expecting all three points at Spotland. The City support of sixty were not too happy to hear the Rochdale anouncer comment on our lack of away support. Can you remember 'Dale bringing many to the Park in previous seasons? Smith gave Rochdale the lead after 23 minutes. We had dominated the opening stages, but City then showed great character in equalising straight away. Stave Neville set up Scott Hiley who evaded two del onders and then shot homo. The travelling fans celebrated by airing the long-play version of Terry Cooper's red and white army', twenty minutes long to be exact! The fifteen minutes after the interval were dominated by the homesters, during which David Frain regained their lead. Once again City refused to die but despite intense pressure, Rochdale keeper, Keith Welch somehow kept their lead. Neville and Taylor missed easy chances, Taylor's cock-up being particularly horrendous as he was only six yards out, as we were soon to discover, Shaun is much more clinical from twenty yards! I had a gut feeling when Graham Withey's effort was cleared off the line that it wasn't going to be our day and these feelings proved justified.

At least we had the consolation of knowing we had performed well and the feeling is that a good run of results is forthcoming soon, please !