Saturday 26th August 1972
Football League
Mansfield 3-0 Exeter City

What the papers say 

Mansfield Town 3, Exeter City 0
Exeter City went down to their third defeat after more than holding their own in a first half which produced plenty of good mid-field build-ups but scarcely a shot of note at either goal. Referee Cyril Smith of Croydon had booked two City players before the interval-Fred Binney after 11 minutes for tackling Pate from behind when the Mansfield defender was trying to shake off the attentions of Graham Parker, and left back Steve Stacey 11 minutes later for deliberate handling. It was an unhappy game for Stacey.
Western Sunday Independant

Ambitious Exeter City are not just wrapped up in the affairs of their team this season. The St. James' Park club is also out to make life more enjoyable and bearable for their tolerant sup porters. Plans have already been mapped out for new club headquarters for the fans, and last week-end saw first issue of a new-styled programme. It is a 16-page production which must now rank as one of the most attractive and informative programmes in the Fourth Division.
Western Sunday Independant 

Mansfield played inspired football to keep intact their 100 per cent. record this season. They slammed two goals in six minutes to demoralise Exeter after a lapse before the break. Binney was Exeter's most per sistent raider. He turned a split second chance narrowly past an upright and then unluckily handled the rebound after a close-range header was pushed out by Brown. Exeter also produced a fast moving winger in Scott, who burst through on the left several times, and had a sound defender in Giles. Near the end Binney was robbed of a consolation goal when his shot hit an angle. 
Sunday People 


Mansfield carried on their impressive start to the season with an improved performance in the second half against Exeter at Field Mill even though two of their goals came from the penalty spot. Their new penalty king is cap tain and centre-half Ellis who made no mistakes with two efforts from the spot-both placed neatly in the same corner of the net.
News of the World

Exeter were sent staggering by a second half blitz which produced two goals for Mansfield within ten minutes.
The home team maintained their 100 per cent. record in their first four games, skipper Ellis clinching it with an 88th minute penalty-his second in the game.. Weak link in City's defence was right-back Stacey who completely failed to curb the sprightly ex Forester McCaffrey on Mansfield's left wing.
Sunday Mirror