SATURDAY 19th APRIL 1969.

CURTIS GETS A VITAL GOAL.

CHESTER 0 EXETER CITY 1

EXETER CITY, Shearing; Crawford, Blain; Kirkham, Newman, Curtis; Banks, Binney, Wingate, Balson, Mitten,

Scorer: Exeter Curtis.

Attendance: 2,821,

Survival was almost clinched with this important win, City are virtually safe from re-election but they had to wait until 30 seconds from the end of the game for Dermot Curtis to score a vital goal, after a tremendous run by Jimmy Blain who beat two players, City had been heading for a point they would have deserved from a match which never reached the heights. It may not have been a good match, but it was a good result for City, Chester, who only a month ago were strongly fancied for promotion, did not look a good side, Although adopting tight tactics, City created more chances than Chester, Dermot Curtis hit a post and Fred Binney twice missed good chances, he also had another shot well saved by Carling. Peter Shearing was beaten just once when a Chester forward struck the post, He made two fine saves in the first half but these were the only times he was really extended. John Newman had an excellent game and seems to be playing better since he moved to the centre half position. This result probably Femoved some of the tensión for Exeter who play at Wrexham on Monday night.

Match Summary 

Generally speaking the game was not very inspiring for a small crowd of less than 3,000 but Exeter get credit for their determination to chase right to the final whistle. Chester had a lively attacker in Andy Provan but for the most part the home side seldom extended an Exeter defence. so ably marshalled by Johnny Newman. Goalscorer Dermot Curtis had previously sent a shot crashing against an upright. This was only our second win in nine visits to Chester, and victory came in the closing second when Dermot Curtis slammed the ball past Terry Carling, a goalkeeper who had previously shown great form in stopping another pile-driver from Fred Binney.

THE FRED BINNEY STORY.

John Rowland may have done Fred Binney, Exeter City, and Torquay United all a favour, For when Rowland finished his loan spell at Exeter from Torquay, he moved to South Africa, and the Plainmoor club offered Binney to City on loan as a replacemnet, Binney agreed to the move and responded so eagerly to the challenge that he averaged a goal a game over his first six matches. A consistent goalscorer in Torquay's Western League side, Fred only had a handful of league games for United and never had an extended run. His Exeter debut was against Bradford, a game that City won 4-2. This boosted his confidence and he has looked a fine prospect ever since. Torquay's chief scout spotted Binney playing in the South Western League for Launceston three years ago, and he was offered professional terms, Plymouth based, his car broke down on the way to Plainmoor on one occasion and the team coach had left by the time he had hitched to the ground. Undaunted, Binney thumbed his way to Weston-Super-Mare for the Western League game and managed to catch up with the team at Bridgwater, That same energetic approach which brought him 64 goals in three seasons at Torquay United has been impressing supporters at St James' Park, Exeter's only fear is that if Binney continues to score at the same rate for the rest of the season, Torquay will want him back, Although his contract expires in June they have a one year renewal option,