SATURDAY 24th AUGUST 1968.

GAME CITY WILL WANT TO FORGET.

ROCHDALE 1,
Harker; Ratcliffe, Ryder; Leech, Parry, Ashworth; Whitehead, Helledew, Jenkins, Rudd, Butler,

EXETER CITY 1.
Shearing; Smyth, Bal'son; Kirkham, 'Harvey, Newman; Blain, Banks, Bullock, Mitten, Pleat, (Crawford),

Scorers:
Rochdale : Melledew,
Exeter : Mitten,

Attendance; 3,225.

After the caviar came the pie and chips, If there is to be one consolation, although Exeter played badly they still got a point, City are not going to play well every week, There must come a time when they play badly, and such a time was at Rochdale, It was a very disappointing performance, the worst of the season, and one they will want to forget quickly. They took a lot of pressure and had some luck in goalmouth scrambles but they came through it all. Despite this Exeter went into the lead and for a time it looked as if they might even win. The goal came in the 55th minute after an incredible mistake by Ashworth who handled the ball right out of the blue in his own penalty area, John Mitten sent Harker the wrong way to score from the spot,
Ironically it was from a Mitten mistake that led to the Rochdale equaliser. He tried to work the ball back to Péter Shearing who had a fine game, but pushed the ball short and Melledew scored, Exeter hung on. The defence worked hard under pressure, Shearing pulled out a tremendous save from Leach late in the game, Cecil Smyth and Mike Balson had both cleared off the line earlier in the game, City's forwards had few opportunities to move out and the build up and approach was lacking.

CITY SUPPORTERS CHASED THROUGH LANCASHIRE TOWN.

A coach load of Exeter City supporters travelled to Rochdale to witness a 1-1 draw at Spotland. However, they will recall their visit for all the wrong reasons. At half time with City leading through a John Mitten penalty they were threatended by a group of home fans as they changed ends, Af the final whistle the City supporters had to run for their safety from the ground back into the town centre where the coach was waiting, as they were hotly persued by a group of Rochdale hooligans. Apart from the loss of a few City scarves, the Exeter supporters made it safely back to the coach,

Match Summary 
Peter Shearing was the hero of this game, for the City were often fully ex tended and only some brilliant saves by the goalkeeper prevented the home side from establishing the lead they deserved. We know only too well how luck and the run of the ball can help or hinder a team, for we have had more than our share of bad luck in the past. This time it was Rochdale who suffered, but at the same time it must be said that when the chips were down there was no luck about Peter Shearing's performance, he certainly came up trumps.
Johnny Mitten put us ahead before the interval with a penalty awarded for "hands," and later on it was a pass-back by the same player which allowed Roch dale to nip in and get the equaliser. Still, it was justice done, for the home side did not deserve to be beaten.