WEDNESDAY 6th NOVEMBER 1968.

CITY MAKE THE MOST OF THOSE LINCOLN MISTAKES.

EXETER CITY 3-0 LINCOLN CITY 

Exeter Team
Shearing; Smyth, Blain; Newman, Harvey, Curtis; Corr, Banks, Balson, Kirkham, Pleat.

Scorers: Corr, Balson, Banks,

Attendance: 4,318.

It is an undisputeable story. the end product is what counts - goals, Exeter got three of them but they did not produce the sparkling fluent football that the scoreline might suggest. In the end it was endeavour that got City through plus the fact that they took advantage of Lincoln's mistakes in defence. Ironically it was former Exeter City player Ray Harford who opened the way for City's first goal after an hours play, Harford tried to back heel the ball away but it went straight to John Corr, who scored with an acute angled shot. This changed the picture completely, and within five minutes Mike Balson ran onto a long high ball from the defence and beat the advancing Kennedy, Then 10 minutes from time Alan Banks got a third after he rounded the Lincoln keeper for his 14th goal of the season, The three goal margin tends to flatter Exeter. It is signifcant that the only times City have succeeded in winning at home this season are when they scored three City have certainly played better than this but it is results that count and they did keep working, something that has been lacking in some games this season. 

Match Summary 

This game provided us with mixed feelings. We were, of course, happy with a 3-0 victory, but many were not convinced about the standard of football City played to obtain this win. Indeed, seldom have we heard so many different opinions about a game at St. James' Park, and no two people seemed able to agree as to whether the entertainment was good or indifferent. The more whole hearted City supporters (bless 'em) were quite satisfied, but others felt that City were flattered by the score. It is difficult for any City supporter to criticise the home team when they win 3-0 but there is no doubt that the side has played much better this season without getting both points. Still, it is goals that count, and although much of our play was scrappy and we missed a lot of chances, particularly in the first half, we scored through Corr, Balson, and Banks, and three goals are enough to win most games.

THURSDAY 7th NOVEMBER 1968.

LES MACDONALD TO RETURN TO EXETER ?

The second replay between Falmouth Town and Waterlooville in the Fourth Qualifying Round of the F.A. Cup will take place at St James Park next Monday evening, Local interest will centre around the game because both clubs have former Exeter City players in their sides Les MacDonald is with daterlooville, and Peter Bennett plays for Falmouth Town Colin Buckingham, another former City player may also take his place in the Falmouth side,

PLEAT QUALIFIES.

David Pleat Exeter City's 23 year old left winger has qualified for his full FA coaching award certificateHe took his first coaching examinat ago and in the past has had several coaching appointmentsparticularly in Bedfordshire during his three years at Luton,

CITY VERSUS NEWPORT CUP TIES.

On paper Exeter City are favourites to overcome Newport County in the FA Cup first round tie. But everyone knows that anything can happen in the Cup.
This will be the fifth pairing of the two clubs in the FA Cup, although games have gone to a replay in the past:- 

• 1919-20 6th Qualifying Round away 0-1
• 1923-24 4th Qualifying Round away 2-0;
• 1924-25 5th Qualifying Round Home 1-1
  Replay Away 3-3,  2nd replay at Ashton Gate 1-0;
• 1945-46 2nd Round first leg Home 1-3 2nd leg Away 1-5.