6th January 1972
Football League
Exeter 4-2 Mansfield

City men clear Mansfield hurdle

Exeter City 4, Mansfield 2

Match report by By DEREK LEAN

THE PROPHETS were eagerly forecasting that on the result of this match might hang Exeter's promotional hopes. An end to the unbeaten home record might start a slide which could be disastrous, was the tenor of their judgement. It is unlikely that promotion is ever settled by one match, but that this was a morale-boosting and statistically important win for Exeter cannot be denied. Despite a few alarms, moments when a little slackness proved expensive, it was a win that Exeter deserved. Mansfield were the League leaders, but in the first half Exeter ripped away that particular cloth of kudos by the simple method of outplaying them in every department. The trouble was all their cort-and it was considerable-produced only one goal. It should have been more, but Exeter had every cause to be totally satisfied with their fast and tenacious play, and if the goal was no classic of construction, it was at least a tribute to the persistence of Dick Plumb. He had chased a long through ball from Fred Binney, but goalkeeper Graham Brown had got there first. There was, however, still a chance and Plumb seized it as Brown fumbled. The ball went loose and Plumb shot into an empty net. When Exeter started the second half as if the interval had not broken their first half crescendo, it looked as if nothing could stop them. Once again Plumb's determination and will to fight for the ball brought results. He latched on to Campbell Crawford's cross from the right, turned and fired a shot at goal. Centre-half Sam Ellis tried to block the shot, but deflected the ball into his own net.

Two goals up, still tearing huge gaps in a Mans- field defence that did not seem in keeping with a lofty League position, having played all the football and cock-a-hoop with confidence, Exeter looked to be in for a glory day. Instead came a sudden and unexpected Mansfield goal. Exeter's defence was caught napping as a through ball from Kevin Bird was picked up by unmarked David Thompson and he stabbed the ball into the net. There was no time to analyse the move and argue about blame, because Exeter sprang back like a tightly coiled spring and scored again within a minute. Again it came from one of Crawford's crosses, with Binney heading the ball back into the middle and Tony Morrin snapping up the chance. Everyone relaxed again, treating the Mansfield goal as no more than a rap across the knuckles for being a little early in counting those chickens. As it turned out it was more than a reprimand. It was a warning that Exeter still had a game on their hands.
Graham Parker had to head off the line, and Bob Wilson had to bring off a superb save to a pile- driver from Thompson. Mansfield were now looking like a side that has been playing so well this season, and in the 60 minute they popped another into the net. This time it was from John Fairbrother and it was his 19th goal for the season. In the last few minutes of this hectic and exciting game, Exeter regained their control. Again off. A cross saw him Plumb's persistence paid off. refusing to be shaken off the ball, despite all the efforts and he got in his shot which was helped into the net by Dave Gibson. Referee Howells (Port Talbot), however, had previously thought that Plumb had already been fouled and he decided on a penalty. Happily Plumb took the kick and got the goal he unquestionably deserved. So Exeter won by two clear goals and nobody can complain that justice was not done. For most of the game they were in control and for long periods they played the sort of football-an amalgam of skill, speed and gritty aptitude that can only bring success. There is still a long way to go to promotion, but one of the highest hurdles in that particular steeplechase has been cleared with this game.

Attendance: 6,744.