SATURDAY 12th APRIL 1969.

CITY MAKE HARD WORK OF IT.

EXETER CITY 3-1 SCUNTHORPE UNITED 

Match Reports

Shearing; Smyth, Blain; Parker, Newman, Curtis; Corr, Banks, Wingate, Mitten, Pleat,


Scorers:
Exeter Pleat, Mitten, Wingate,
Scunthorpe : Heath

Attendance; 4,566.

Exeter City won their first Saturday afternoon match of the season at St James' Park from what was ironically their final afternoon fixture of the season, City made hard work of it thoughA strong blustery wind made conditions difficult and although Exeter won they were most disappointing in the second half, Scunthorpe got on top and had they taken their chances Exeter might have been in trouble. City went into the lead after 36 minutes direct from a Dave Pleat free kick. A minute later John Mitten increased that lead from the penalty spot after Graham Parker had been brought down, Scunthorpe were in the game much more after the interval and they too scored with a penalty 10 minutes into the half through Reath. City's one goal lead looked in danger on a few occasions and it was not until the 83rd minute that they made the game safe, John Corr's cross was met by John Wingate who fired into the net, Wingate has completed his apprenticeship as a plumber and has surely done enough for Exeter to offer him professional terms for next season. It was also pleasing to see Alan Banks back in action for the first time since January.


Match Summary 

Despite the score this was not one of City's most convincing wins in recent weeks. Even allowing for the difficult conditions created by a blustery wind the City made hard work of it, and although we established a two-goal lead before the interval we were never sure of both points until John Wingate got a third goal eight minutes from time.
Both of our first-half goals were obtained with dead ball kicks. David Pleat got the first from a free kick and Johnny Mitten the second from the penalty spot.
But Scunthorpe got a well deserved goal shortly after the restart (Terry Heath with a penalty) and had their finishing been stronger they might have had us in trouble for they certainly en joyed plenty of the play.

This was City's first Saturday afternoon victory of the season at St. James' Park.


MONDAY 14th APRIL 1969.

ALAN BANKS IS EXETER CITY PLAYER OF THE YEAR.

Alan Banks is Exeter City's Player of the Year for the 1968-69 season, He received the award on Saturday evening at the Exeter City Supporters Club annual Player of the Year dance at St George's Hall, Banks has missed almost half the season with a knee injury which was operated on in January. Despite playing only one game since then he is still the club's leading scorer. The Supporters Club dance was attended by players and officials of Exeter City and members of the supporters club.

FRIDAY 18th APRIL 1969.

JOHN NEWMAN OFFERED CITY PLAYER MANAGER POSITION.

John Newman, 35, captain of Exeter City has been offered the position of Player Manager at St James Park, His decision is expected to be known after City's trip to Chester and Wrexham this weekend, The offer came at last night's meeting of the board of directorsNewman and trainer Bert Edwards took joint control at the City following the sacking of Frank Broome at the beginning of February.

Since the duo were put in temporary charge the City have hauled themselves away from the bottom four positions, having taken 18 points from 14 games, Newman has plenty of experience as a player and joined Exeter from Plymouth Argyle in November 1967he said today that he wants to think the offer over and will give the board his decision next week.