'CHAMPERS' SHOW GODFREY'S HOPE

by Martyn Dean 

Swindon Town v ECFC (W 3-2)
Scorers: Bowker 2, Pullar
Attendance: 11,606

THERE are no prizes for guessing what Exeter City's manager Brian Godfrey would like most for Christmas a champagne performance from his side at Swindon on Boxing Day to wash down all the turkey and plum pudding.
And in keeping with the Yuletide tradition for over-indulgence, Godfrey would be quite happy to stuff four more points under his belt from the games against Mansfield and Plymouth to make it a memorable start to the New Year.
"I would like to see us preserve our unbeaten run at least until January 2," said Godfrey. Exeter are in fact unbeaten in their last five League games and have taken five points from the last six. Their new-found form will face its sererest test so far on Wednesday when they take on a Swindon Town side which boasts the most lethal strike force in the country. Alan Mayes and Andy Rowland have scored 37 goals between them this season and Godfrey's first priority will be to ensure that they do not add to that total against Exeter.
Mayes threat
Mayes a player City once tried to sign - has set the whole soccer world talking by taking his per sonal tally to 20 with two goals against Torquay United in Saturday's F.A. Cup replay, but Godfrey is confident that Exeter can handle him.
"He played against Lee Roberts twice last year and did not get a kick," said Godfrey. Roberts will again be given the task of marking Mayes with his namesake Phil picking up Rowland. Godfrey is not yet in a position to name his side, but it seems likely that there will be just one change from the line-up which beat Colchester 3-1 on Friday.
Ian Pearson, who injured his hip in that match, is rated as extremely doubtful and Keith Bowker is standing by to replace him. Pearson will be given a late fitness test before the team travel to Swindon on Boxingnnnnnnnnng iixoxing Day morning. If, as expected, he is ruled out Bowker will play and Roy Ireland will be called up as substitute. Swindon have no injury problems and manager Bob Smith has named the same squad which played against Torquay. However, he may decide to bring substitute Roy Carter into the centre of the defence in place of Billy Tucker. Former Exeter full-back John Templeman is not in the squad.

Exeter City: (from) Main, Mitchell, Hore, P. Roberts, L. Roberts, Hatch, Neville,. Pearson, Bowker, P. Rogers, Delve, Pullar, Ireland.

Swindon: (from) Allan, Lewis, Ford, McHale, Tucker, Carter, Stroud, Miller, Kamara, Rowland, Mayes, Williams.