Exeter 2 Brentford 2

by Ed Hogg at the Park

Saturday 18 December 1993.

Attendance 4250

GAVIN Worboys is quietly assuming the goalscoring role abandoned by Exeter City top-scorer Ronnie Jepson a fortnight ago. Worboys, who moved into St James's Park when 16-goal Jepson found the lure of Leeds Road lucre too tempting, marked his home debut with a clinical 38th minute strike to help City to a 2-2 draw with Brentford. The giant Notts County striker had already served up a delicious debut goal for fellow loan teenager Simon Davies. And while Jepson has failed to add to his haul at Huddersfield- who paid £80,000 for his services - Worboys has already netted twice in three City appearances. That he has yet to appear on a victorious Exeter side is evidence of the ultra-tough period Alan Ball's men have faced as they prepare for Wednesday's eagerly-awaited Division 2 derby arrival of Plymouth Argyle. City's only win since the Jepson-inspired demolition of Farnborough in the FA Cup opening round of November 13 was last week's FA Cup second round replay epic against Leyton Orient. They haven't bagged a league maximum since the incredible 6-4 success against Fulham seven weeks ago. Argyle, meanwhile, are finally living up to billing and the faith of chairman Dan Macauley's wallet with a winning streak that has hoisted them to third spot. City, now 15th-urgently need to add to their impressive list of derby triumphs under Ball to halt a minor barren spell. Worboys, despite his goals, still contributes less than the uniquitous Jepson did. And privately Ball admits the departure of his attacking linchpin has posed greater problems than purely replacing his marksmanship. But there was evidence against Brentford that - given time and a break from a gruelling string of long awaydays and treacle pitches - City can erase Jepson's memory. They looked the likely winners until Denny Mundee won and converted the 64th minute penalty equaliser as Ball's outfit, in their fifth game in a fort- night, tired visibly. "We've come a long way and so have Exeter since we beat them 2-1 on the first day of the sea- son," proclaimed Bees boss Dave Webb in his familiar East End tones. It was Webb's outfit who made the early running. Mundee - who had a short and unsuccessful summer trial at St James's Park - forcing an early block from Peter Fox. Worboys delayed too long when Stuart Storer's electric pace afforded him Exeter's first shooting chance after seven minutes and headed just over when Russell Coughlin and Jason Minett worked a neat 11th minute free-kick. Fox comfortably gathered Simon Ratcliffe's long-range shot before slick City prised open the visitors' rearguard midway through the opening period. Scheming Coughlin, back in the midfield hub, found the also fit-again Mickey Ross. And when Steve Wigley's run was halted by a crunching Jamie Bates tackle, Worboys delivered a precision cross for Davies to crash a sweet half-volley past Kevin Dearden from eight yards. By the 30th minute Brentford were back on terms - Marcus Gayle making room to unleash a low 20-yarder that Fox could only palm in off his left-hand upright. But after Storer had twice threatened to burst clear, the lively Ross conjured up a superb pass that Brian Statham failed to cut out and Worboys strode clear to slot cooly home. Immediately Mundee contrived to shoot fractionally wide after jinking his way into the Exeter penalty area and Worboys was similarly close with a ferocious drive soon after the break. Scott Daniels headed into the Brentford side-netting from Coughlin's 54th minute cross and the effervescent Minett com- bined with Steve Wigley for a 20- yard drive that flew just over. Fox - the hero of Tuesday's shoot-out against Orient - raced out to meet Jamie Bates' hoisted pass and brought down Mundee, who thrashed his seventh goal in five games from the penalty spot. And Exeter's last glimpse of victory evaporated when the unmarked Peter Whiston nodded over when Daniels' knocked back a Coughlin corner.

MATCH FACTS
THE TEAMS

Exeter City:
Fox, Minett, Brown, Davies, Daniels, Whiston, Storer, Coughlin, Worboys, Ross, Wigley, (Worthington 60). Subs (not used) Bailey, Veysey.

Brentford:
Dearden, Statham, Grainger, Westley, Smith, Ratcliffe, Bates, Gayle, Mundee, Benjamin, Harvey. Subs (not used) Metcalf, Hutchings, Fernandes

OFFICIALS
Referee Martin Brandwood (Lichfield)
Linesmen I Madge and M Sims

CITY STATS

Scorers
Davies 24, Worboys 38
Shots/headers on target 4
Corners 4
No Bookings 

BRENTFORD STATS

Scorers
Gayle 30, Mundee (pen) 64
Shots/headers on target 6
Corners 4
Bookings Benjamin

ATTENDANCE 4.250

CITY SLICKER
Jason Minett