SATURDAY 2nd MARCH 1968.

Exeter City 0-2 Southend

NO FIGHT IN CITY'S GAME.

EXETER CITY 0
Smout; Smyth, Balson; Blain, Newman, Huxford; Fudge, Banks, Curtis, Crawford Corr,

SOUTHEND UNITED 2
White: Beesley, Birks; McMillan, May, Ashworth; Ferguson, Slack, Chisnall, Best, McKinven,

Scorer: Southend; Best 2,

Attendance: 3,705,

Match Report 1
Exeter rapped by Best 

by RAY COLLIER

BILLY BEST, signed recently. from Northampton, ended up as Southend's two-goal hero, But he and the rest of the promo tion-chasing side's attack had wasted chances in the previous 80 minutes. Best's goals came in the 80th and 84th minutes when the game seemed certain to end as a goalless draw. Southend deserved to win, but they had made hard work of victory. The whole match was a story missed chances. alhough of Exeter can also claim some shock ing luck. However, it was a lively affair and no one could complain about lack of action. The first half saw Exeter having more of the play, but after the interval Southend virtually took control.Their approach work looked good enough, but their forwards were hesitant in shooting, wild when they did shoot, and threw away their chances. Southend cannot grumble about their fortune in the early stages of the game. Twice left back Graham Birks headed off the line, once to a header from Campbell Crawford and the other to a crashing shot from Mike Balson that looked certain to go in. Their luck was in, too, when Alan Banks was unexpectedly given a chance. had the 'keeper beaten with his shot only to see it hit the bar. In the second half Best hit one shot over the top with only 'keeper John Smout to beat, then right winger John Ferguson hit the crossbar. The ball went loose and John McKiven got it into the net, but referee Wallace ruled he had handled. Finally, Best hit home a 20 vard drive. And when Phil Chisnall hit an upright, Best was on the spot to head a second.

Match Report 2

Exeter have no luck, then Best strikes

EXETER CITY, still fighting to keep away from the re-election zone, just cannot afford to lose home points like this. Certainly, Southend are challenging hard for promo tion, but for most of this game they did not look like a side destined for the Third Division. Exeter missed chances in the first half and had some appalling luck. Southend missed chances for 80 minutes, and it was not until ten minutes from the end that they finally found their shooting power. Their two-goal hero was inside-left Billy Best, a fast moving player that South end signed only five weeks' ago from Northampton. But Best, like the rest of his forwards, had previously wasted chances. It was a game that did not lack goalmouth excite ment, but Exeter tended to fade in the second-half.

Twice in the first half, Southend's left-back Birks dramatically headed off the line. The first time he stopped a header from Campbell Craw ford and then, minutes later, he made a tremendously fast recovery to block a piledriver from Mike Balson. Alan Banks, Exeter's tire less chaser of chances looked certain to get one when he was through on his own. His shot beat the keeper all the way, but hit the underside of the crossbar. On their second half display, few could have expected Southend to have scored, but in the 80th minute, Best found the net with a superbly taken shot from 20 yards that went into the top corner Four minutes later, Southend were awarded a free kick and Chis nall's shot hit the upright. It rebounded into play, and Best was quick off the mark to rush in and head into the net.

FRIDAY 8th MARCH 1968.
CITY SIGN A NEW PLAYER.

Swansea Town centre forward Dennis Coughlin has agreed to join Exeter City on loan until the end of the season, The lightning deal which took less than 24 hours to complete was successfully ended today. Immediately the deal was clinched, a member of the St James' Park staff left by car for Swansea and then onto Lytham St Annes to make sure that the transfer forms arrive in time for tomorrow's match against Barnsley. Coughlin who made 33 league appearances for Swansea last season has also played for BournemouthHe scored twice for Swansea in their pre season friendly at the Park against Exeter City. Manager Frank Broome describes Coughlin as an experienced player who will do a good job for Exeter.

SAME AGAIN NEXT SEASON,

Exeter City's board of decided at last night's meeting that the club will continue with the policy of running only one side next season, and employing around 16 professionals. Exeter first cut their playing staff at the start of the present season when they axed their Western League and two junior sides because of financial reasons.