Tuesday, August 22nd, 1967:

Football League Cup, 1st Round:

Torquay United (Away),
Draw 0-0.


IMPROVED CITY EARN REPLAY AGAINST ALL THE ODDS.

TORQUAY UNITED 0
Dunn; Bond, Baxter; Smith(A)Brown, Dunne; Clarke, James, Fryatt, Stubbs, Barnes, EXETER CITY 0,
Smout; 'Smyth, Crawford; Embery, Wilkinson, Blain; Hart, Stuckey, Balson, Fudge, Whatling,

Attendance: 6,794.

When Exeter City walked onto the pitch at Plainmoor all the odds were stacked against them, and even the most ardent City supporter must have had his doubts about his sides chances, City named eleven players and did without a substitute, but this game proved again that derby matches are always unpredictableExeter fought for 90 minutes, indeed they looked the better side in the first half. In the second half Torquay United got on top, but City's side stood up to the pressure, particularly in the later stages when Torquay went all out for the vital goalThe man to man marking was much tighter and the City defence did well, The work of Ben Embery and Ernie Wilkinson was the main feature, Whenever there was a mistake made, there was always someone to cover up, City moved the ball around well, and in the forward line, Micky Fudge had a fine game. Stuart Hart signed only hours before the kick off worked hard, Fudge, Mike Balson, and Bruce Stuckey along with Hart all went close for Exeter, while Torquay's best effort came from John Bond. With the replay at St James' Park next Monday, City must now fancy their chances of progressing to the second round, hopefully they will be able to field a full side.

Exeter City made Football League Cup history through obtaining special permission to break the 14-day rule and include new signing Stuart Hart in the side to meet Torquay. Considering the anxiety in trying to muster a full side and with key men like Dermot Curtis and Cliff Huxford unable to take their places through injury the City gave a creditable performance. Indeed, even Torquay manager Frank O'Farrell afterwards admitted that we were the better side on the day and certainly deserved a second chance.

TUESDAY 22nd AUGUST 1967.

HART SIGNS INTO CITY'S CUP TEAM.

The Football League have waived the 14 day registration rule on players in the League Cup competition in order that Exeter City can play their first round match at Torquay tonight. The alternative was to instruct City to play with ten men or postpone the matchThe League Committee decided to give City special permission to play Stuart Hart who signed for Exeter this morning. raised no objection, for which City must be very grateful,

Hart played for Corinthians in Australia for three years when Frank Broome was manager-coach there. He played in the Nottingham Forest Under 19 team before going down under, Hart impressed in his trial games for City against Swansea Town and Cardiff City.

Negotiations for a player Frank Broome talked of yesterday has fallen through. The player was Swansea Town centre forward Dennis Coughlin who scored twice against the City in the pre season friendly at St James Park, The player declined to move to Exeter,

MONDAY 28th AUGUST 1967. 

FOOTBALL LEAGUE CUP
Round One Replay.

EXETER CITY 0
Smout; Smyth, Blain; Balson, Wilkinson, Huxford; Hart, Crawford, Stuckey, Fudge, Whatling Sub:Harvey 

TORQUAY UNITED 3
Dunn; BurgessBaxter; Bond, Brown, Dunne, Barnes, Clarke, Fryatt, Stubbs, "Docker.

Scorers: Torquay; Docker 2, Fryatt.

Attendance: 5,778,

Only one of three Torquay goals was a good one. John Smout was to blame for the third goal and could have done better with the second. Torquay, although not an outstanding side, are a strong side and are always dangerous around the penalty areaTheir first goal was an object lesson on how goals should be taken, Docker firing in a 20 yard first time shot into the City net, With more dash dash and determination Exeter City certainly showed a lot of improvement on their display against Crewe, but although we had some bad luck, particularly when Micky Fudge hit an upright, weakness in front of goal was again evident and it was obvious that the Torquay rearguard generally had the situation in hand although they were fortunate not to have conceded at least one penalty. Docker did it again in the second half, But Smout could have covered the shot more quicklyThe third Torquay goal came in the last five minutes, Smout fumbled Fryatt's 30 yard shot and the ball trickled into the goal, The City forward line lacked penetration. In the second half they did have a 20 minute spell and pressed the Torquay defence hard. The build up was there but the final plans broke down. The need for a striker is obvious, Micky Fudge hit the post and there were a few near misses, but this does not win matches, It's goals that count and at the moment City cannot get the ball into the net. The record speaks for itself. In all games played so far this season, City have scored 6 and conceded 18, City lack height and strength in the opposing penalty area,
Match Summary 
This game really ran true to form in as much as it showed the difference between a Third and Fourth Division side. Torquay looked as if they had the capacity to do better if we had extended them with a goal, but we weren't able to do so and the visitors earned a comfortable victory with goals by Docker (2) and Fryatt.