28th JANUARY 1989 

EXETER CITY 5 ROCHDALE 1

Five goal displays from Exeter City occur about as regularly as an eclipse of the sun, so the 2,500 who braved the grotty weather could consider it an afternoon well spent.

We didn't look set for a big win in the opening stages though. Rochdale were far superior, with Frain and Edmonds both going close, before the inevitable happened when Chris Beaumont headed in a corner. City showed great character in fighting back to equalise just three minutes later. A corner from Carl Harris was flicked on by Shaun Taylor and Keith Smith headed home. This was Smith's first full league game, he was previously with non league Alfreton Town of course. On 38 minutes Exeter took the lead when Harris headed against the bar and his fellow Welshman Rowbotham knocked the rebound in. City could count themselves slightly fortunate to find themselves in front at the break, but the second-half was a different story. Exeter dominated throughout, with Neville particularly dangerous, indeed it was our assistant manager who scored the third goal with twenty minutes left. Keith Smith was again involved, his cross was coolly slotted home. Nine minutes later Neville pulled the ball back to Tupling, whose mis-hit shot was controlled by action man Smith, who gleefully stabbed the ball past the Rovers custodian. City get plenty of threes and fours nowadays so it made a nice change to see a fifth goal go in. The all important goal was scored by Steve Tupling, his first for the club, from the edge of the area. So City's first five goal haul for nearly four and a half years, and if any Smart Alecs write in reminding me that we scored more at Torrington in pre-season, then the punishment could be severe I