READING 2 EXETER 1
20.10.79

Reading recovered from a severe case of travel-sickness after their midweek trip to Spain to beat Exeter Lawrie Sanchez, their most dangerous striker, twice went close to giving them a first-half lead. But it was big Steve Hetzke who broke the deadlock, blasting a 52nd- minute free kick through the defensive wall, and Mike Kearney turned to shoot the second in the 76th minute. Substitute Ian Pearson snatched a late consolation goal for Exeter

Attendance: 6,083

Match Report from the Sunday Mirror 

Reading looked more rusty than refreshed from their three-day break in Spain-which was a reward from winning the Fourth Division last season. "We just didn't get going for the first hour," manager Maurice Evans admitted. 

Exeter paid dearly for early misses when Hetzke smashed in a 20-yard free kick to give Reading the lead just after half-time. Kearney, who showed fine skill and control up front, scored a superb second. Exeter substitute Pearson pulled one back near the end.