Match 24
9th December 1972
Friendly
Brentford (h)
9th December 1972
Friendly
Exeter 1-0 Brentford
Bees still can't cure their away form 'blues'
It was an empty day all round for the Bees on Saturday. Knocked out of the F.A. Cup they arranged a friendly with Fourth Division Exeter City who had suffered the same treatment at the hands of a non-league team but Bees did not greatly impress.
Only just over 1,000 people turned out to watch the game and tot until the und half did they have anything to cheer about. While accepting that any friendly is not going to have the cut and thrast of competitive soccer, this first period was a tedious affair even on that basis.
There was little of the quality which might have been expected when the pressures are off and there is the chance for players to express themselves in a more relased atmosphere. Instead it was 45 minutes of midfield play which got precisely nowhere. And the player who emerged as man of the match was Brentford's goalkeeper Gordon Phillps. He might have had a quiet game in the frst half, but he was constantly in action in the second period and, but for him, Exeter could have run out convincing winners. Twice he made spectacular split second reac tion saves to shots from Tony Morrin and then be pulled off a diving save to a shot from Alan Banks which was hit first time and looked to have goal written all over it. Still Brentford were not showing much in the way of constructive attacking form although a couple of efforts from young Andy Woon came very close. It looked as if the match would end in a goalless draw, but five mi nutes from time, a long goal clearance was picked up by Rowan, who chipped the ball into the middle for centre forward Dick Plumb to meet first time and swing a 30 yard shot into the net. If anything in this half Brentford looked to have the greater skills, but never fully used them. Whereas Exeter had more possession of the ball but their attacking play petered out in front of goal. For a long time neither keeper had anything to do, although hesitancy cost Exeter a goal when Barry Rowan and Tony Morrin missed chances. Happily things livened up in the second half, although it was the Bees who found themselves in the position which involved seeking to contain an Exeter side which finally found the spurt to turn their territorial advantage into attacking play of some purpose.
Friendly
Exeter 1-0 Brentford
Bees still can't cure their away form 'blues'
It was an empty day all round for the Bees on Saturday. Knocked out of the F.A. Cup they arranged a friendly with Fourth Division Exeter City who had suffered the same treatment at the hands of a non-league team but Bees did not greatly impress.
Only just over 1,000 people turned out to watch the game and tot until the und half did they have anything to cheer about. While accepting that any friendly is not going to have the cut and thrast of competitive soccer, this first period was a tedious affair even on that basis.
There was little of the quality which might have been expected when the pressures are off and there is the chance for players to express themselves in a more relased atmosphere. Instead it was 45 minutes of midfield play which got precisely nowhere. And the player who emerged as man of the match was Brentford's goalkeeper Gordon Phillps. He might have had a quiet game in the frst half, but he was constantly in action in the second period and, but for him, Exeter could have run out convincing winners. Twice he made spectacular split second reac tion saves to shots from Tony Morrin and then be pulled off a diving save to a shot from Alan Banks which was hit first time and looked to have goal written all over it. Still Brentford were not showing much in the way of constructive attacking form although a couple of efforts from young Andy Woon came very close. It looked as if the match would end in a goalless draw, but five mi nutes from time, a long goal clearance was picked up by Rowan, who chipped the ball into the middle for centre forward Dick Plumb to meet first time and swing a 30 yard shot into the net. If anything in this half Brentford looked to have the greater skills, but never fully used them. Whereas Exeter had more possession of the ball but their attacking play petered out in front of goal. For a long time neither keeper had anything to do, although hesitancy cost Exeter a goal when Barry Rowan and Tony Morrin missed chances. Happily things livened up in the second half, although it was the Bees who found themselves in the position which involved seeking to contain an Exeter side which finally found the spurt to turn their territorial advantage into attacking play of some purpose.
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