SATURDAY 14th DECEMBER 1968.

GOAL IN THE LAST SECONDS ROB LIVELY EXETER.

EXETER CITY 1
Shearing; Smyth, Blain; Crawford, Newman, Harvey; Corr, Balson, Curtis, Kirkham, Pleat,

SOUTHEND UNITED 2
Roberts; Bentley, Birks; McMillan, Beesley, Kurila; Clayton, Chisnall, Moore, Best, Hamilton, (Chambers),

Scorers:
Exeter: Pleat,
Southend: Moore, Clayton,

Attendance: 12,714.

Exeter City slumped to defeat again, With their two vital men missing, both Alan Banks and John Mitten being out injured. Yet even without these two Exeter need not have lost had they been sharper in front of goal in the first half, City produced a very lively display for most of the match but fell to pieces in the last 20 minutes and allowed Southend to get on top, What they lacked in craft, City made up for in sheer spirit as they continually raided early in the game, but too often it was a case of lacking the goalscoring touch at the last second, It was utterly against the run of play when Southend took the lead in the 23rd minute through Moore. City kept plugging away and inside five minutes were back on terms, John Kirkham and Mike Balson combined well to lay on a chance for Dave Pleat to score, City were still well in the game at the start of the second half. Dermot Curtis had a goal disallowed for a foul on the keeperPleat had to go off with an ankle injury 20 minutes from time and from then on Exeter lost their fireSouthend started to play power football with a sense of sudden and telling raids and with only seconds remaining Clayton lashed the ball into the net from 30 yards for the winning goal.

Match Summary 

For the second season in succession the United completed a League "double" over us with this latest win at St. James' Park, and although some thought they were fortunate to have taken both points we cannot complain after failing to take our chances early in the game. Gary Moore put Southend ahead but David Pleat equalised. City had a goal dis allowed when Dermot Curtis headed home, but Southend later took command and got the winner in the closing seconds, with a 25-yard shot from Eddie Clayton,

A REWARD FOR EXETER CITY'S EFFORTS.

Exeter City may not be doing so well in the League this season, but they are certainly having one of the most exciting cup seasons for a long, long time. Their victory at Colchester took them to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time in nine years, and it is the first time since the famous giantkilling exploits of the 1930-31 season that City have won two ties away from home in the same Campaign. What a fine reward for their efforts, the plum draw of the third round, Not since mighty Sunderland visited Exeter nearly 38 years ago has there been such a star attraction at St James' Park as Manchester United, Indeed considering United are the current holders of the European Cup there is no doubt that 4th January 1969 will be the most momentus day in the history of Exeter City Football Club.

ARGYLE CHEEK!

The Express and Echo received the following letter signed, 'Argyle Fan, Plymouth', "As St James' Park has it's limitations I suggest that the Exeter City versus Manchester United match on the 4th January be played at Home Park, "Plymouth, where a gate of at least 35,000 can be expected,"

CUP VOUCHER MANIA.

Some 12,714 people packed into St James Park today for the match with Southend United and it is not disrespectful to the visitors to say that they were not entirely the main reason for the larger than usual gate. City were issuing vouchers that will guarantee tickets for their FA Cup tie with Manchester United. There were 12,000 vouchers available, so there was some disappointment for those who were unlucky enough not to obtain one, The queue outside the ground began to form at 5.30am, when six boys from Taunton arrived to make sure of their vouchers, Despite the severe frost they remained at the entrance all morning armed with flasks of coffee and sandwiches, Others started to arrive just after 8am, complete with rugs and deckchairs. Half an hour before the gates opened the queue stretched back up Old Tiverton Road with people standing four or five deep.

MONDAY 16th DECEMBER 1968.

THE INVASION IS OVER BUT SOME ARE DISAPPOINTED.

Exeter City chairman Les Kerslake said he did not think there has been anything like it in the history of the club. He was referring to the long queues on Saturday for FA Cup vouchers. The invasion is over for the time being and the Old Tiverton Road area of Exeter is back to normal, All 12,000 vouchers were issued and there were not enough to satisfy demand. After the game against Southend United a small group of supporers formed outside the club offices complaining because they did not have a voucher, Mr Kerslake explained to them that there were none left and that it was made perfectly clear last week that there were only 12,000 vouchers available, he was sorry for those supporters who did not get one but a fool proof system of supply when demand is greater has yet to be found.

TUESDAY 17th DECEMBER 1968.

CITY ARE STILL INTERESTED IN TONY MOY.

Exeter City manager Frank Broome confirmed yesterday that he is interested in signing, Chelmsford City centre forward Tony Moy and is prepared to pay a fee, but not the £5,000 the Southern League club want for the player, Moy who is 21, has scored 18 goals this season, he wants to get a chance in the Football League and is understood to be interested in joining Exeter,

THURSDAY 19th DECEMBER 1968.

CITY SIGN A CENTRE HALF.

Exeter City have signed six foot plus centre half, 21 year old, Brian Sharples, on loan until the end of the season from Birmingham City, He has been with them for nine years, Born in Bradford he has made nearly 150 League appearances including one this season, City manager Frank Broome travelled to Birmingham today by car to sign the player and then made a dash North to the Football League headquarters at Lytham St Annes to ensure the transfer went through in time for Sharples to make his debut at Notts County on Saturday.

FRIDAY 20th DECEMBER 1968.

YOUTH TEAMS BENEFIT FROM CITY AWARD.

Exeter City recently won the £100 monthly award for the best behaved supportersThe prize money is distributed to local clubs or teams judged to be deserving of itThe City have nominated the following four clubs to receive £25 each - Pool Lane United, Juventus, Whipton, and St Davids - all youth teams,