SATURDAY 24th FEBRUARY 1968.

Rochdale 2-2 Exeter City

CITY GOT THEIR POINT BUT THEY DID NOT PLAY WELL.

ROCHDALE 2,
Green; Melledew, Calloway; Dow, Smith, Taylor; Harley, Rudd, Fletcher, Jenkins, Butler.
EXETER CITY 2,
Smout; Smyth, Balson; Newman, Harvey, Wilkinson; Blain, Fudge, Curtis, Crawford, Corr,

Scorers:
Rochdale: 'Melledew, Rudd,
Exeter Blain, Corr,

Attendance 2,159,

This was bad game between two bad teams, and although City got a point from it they did not play very well, but in their present Fourth Division position it is points that count for Exeter and this one at Rochdale lifts them above the bottom four clubs. No one played well in the City team although the defence kept going when under pressure with Keith Harvey having a steady game. Jimmy Blain gave Exeter a half time lead when he scored at the second attempt after his penalty had been saved by Green, He followed up on the rebound to crack the ball into the net, Rochdale pressed for an equaliser and it came after 62 minutes through Melledew, Thirteen minutes later Rudd making his debut for the club put Rochdale ahead. The lead did not last long as John Corr netted an equaliser in the 82nd minute. It is a fair point that the pitch did not make things easier for either side. The surface did not look particularly east to play on in places after overnight frost, In addition with only just over 2,000 people in the ground there was often a lack of atmosphere during the game

Match Summary 

Although we may not have been very clever we certainly proved in this game that we have plenty of the right kind of spirit and determination. Jimmy Blain put us ahead, scoring after his original penalty shot had been pushed out, and our defence withstood terrific pressure before Rochdale managed to get an equaliser. Then when the home side took the lead towards the end City fought back to get a well deserved equaliser through Johnny Corr.

Notes on the Game 

At least Exeter City manager Frank Broome was candid after a dismal 2-2 draw at ROCHDALE. Said Broome : "My apologies for an awful game. But don't forget we had three regulars injured"

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY 1968.

CITY TO ENTER NATIONAL 5 A SIDE COMPETITION.

Exeter City have agreed to enter a team in the National 5 a side competition towards the end of the season. This competition is being organised by a national newspaper and Exeter have accepted their invitation to compete, City will first play in the regional competition at Bracknell on Monday 6th May. The winners of this stage go on to play in the all Britain finals at Wembley on 15th May.

KEITH WHATLING ENTERS HOSPITAL FOR OPERATION.

Exeter City's left winger Keith whatling ended a long wait today when he entered hospital for a cartilage operation. He is now in the Princess Elizabeth Orthapedic Hospital, in Exeter, It was learned five weeks ago that Keith needed the operation. He is expected to be out of football for at least six weeks. The winger has made 11 league appearances this season since being signed from Ipswich Town.