Exeter City 5-0 Rochdale

Report by Mark Halliwell
(Sunday Independant)

EXETER City found an unlikely hero as they crushed sorry Rochdale at St. James Park to record their most convincing win of the season. Rugged centre half Jim McNichol chalked up his first career hatrick with two strikes in the final three minutes after his 23rd minute header had opened the floodgates

McNichol's late blasts sent City, without the services of injured top scorer Darran Rowbotham, back to the top of Division Four and ex- tended their unbeaten home moord in a record breaking 25 games. This was a clash between the side with the best home record in the Division and that with the best travelling record, and Exeter pre- vailed in style. So much in command were they that Rochdale's front line hardly caused Kevin Miller in the City goal to break sweat. City gave len signing Kevin Summerfield his debut in midfield, but after a bright start he faded out. He almost gave City a flying start in the third minute, bending a free kick round the wall and just wide of the post after Wayne Goodison had wrestled Steve Neville to the ground as the little striker looked to have burst through Rochdale's rearguard. Goodison receiving a caution for his impetuous challenge. With wide men Richard Dryden and Brian McDermott, a surprise inclusion after fracturing a check bone last Saturday, teasing and testing the Rochdale defence, the destiny of the points was never in doubt. Dryden set up a fine chance for Neville as he outpaced three defenders on the left wing, but after finding Neville with a fine cross,  the City striker's effort was weak and Tony Brown was able to clear. City took the lead after 23 minutes when a chip over the defence found Richard Young by the corner flag. As he attempted to turn past Brown, the Rochdale skipper tripped him. From the resulting free kick, McDermott chipped towards the penalty spot, for McNichol to plant a decisive header into the corner past a static Welch. Seven minutes before the break, City added a second, Angus McPherson making inroads into Rochdale territory, but his shot cannoned off Mickey Holmes into McDermott's path. His centre was headed back by skipper Shaun Taylor for Neville to volley in from the six-yard line. Finally, Rochdale managed to muster an attacking attempt. A deep cross from the right was headed back by Steve Johnson for Gary Henshaw to test Kevin Miller with a point blank headerwhich the City keeper clutched onto at the second attempt.

It was nearly three straight after the break, as former Torquay do fender David Cole turned Dryden's cross inches over his own crossbar with Richard Young advancing menacingly for the kill. Play was held up when City de- fenders Taylor and McPherson both needed treatment for leg injuries, but happily both were able to continue, although Taylor returned with strapping around his ankle. Young set up a fine third for the Grecians, striding clear of the defence, who were appealing for off side, and side footing into the path of Neville, who had the simple task of sweeping home from five yards Sulf City were not satisfied and continued their hunt for more goals, Welch saving smartly from a McNichol header and Goodison denying Neville after Dryden had out paced left back Burns to set up the chance. Rochdale were forced to ahandon their five man sweeper system, replacing Cole with striker Dean Walling in a desperate attempt to get back into the game. But it did not work, as City's strikers found themselves with even more room to manoeuvre. Young was unfortunate not to get in on the scoring act after he burst through the gaping holes now appearing in the Rochdale defence but his shot scraped the outside of the post with Welch beaten. Neville was unlucky not to chalk up his hat-trick after 74 minutes when his spectacular volley from McDermotts cross screwed inches wide. That was to be the assistant manager's last chance, as youngster Ben Rowe replaced him five min- utes from time. The youngster's first contribution came when he was tripped two minutes from time when clean through, referee Bob Hamer awarding a penalty, much to the surprise of all concerned. McNichol stepped up and blasted home the spot kick, giving Welch no chance at all. City's second deadline-day signing, defender Tom Kelly, was introduced into the fray to replace struggling skipper Taylor. Rowe set up Young with a fine chance in the dying seconds his cross leaving the big striker all alone in front of goal, but Welch spread himself superbly to block the effort. City saved the best goal until last, McNichol hammering an amazing 35 yard free kick past the helpless Welch to cap an exceptional performance by City, now odds on to end their Fourth Division exile.

Exeter City 
Miller. Hiley. McPherson. McNichol. Taylor. Summerfield. McDermott. Bailey. Young. Neville. Dryden.
Subs: Rowe (for Neville, 85 mins.), Kelly (for Taylor, 89 mins)

Scorers: McNichol 3 (1 pen), Neville 2

Rochdale:
Welch, Goodison, Burns, Brown, Cole (Walling, 71 mins.), Hill, Holmes, Henshaw, Johnson, Dawson, Milner. Sub: O'Shaughnessy.

Referee Mr. R.L. Hamer (Bristol)

Attendance 4,701

Bouking: Goodison (Rochdale)

Scorers: McNichol 3 (1 pen), Neville 2