10th January 1978
FA Cup 3rd Round Replay

Three-goal spree right for Wolves
Wolves 3-1 Exeter
Report by Jeff Farmer 

JOHN RICHARDS shot his 12th goal of the season in the 38th minute last night to pacify an impatient Molineux crowd and point Wolves towards the fourth round of the FA Cup. Richards provided an urgently needed break through to puncture the defiant resistance of a totally committed Exeter. The Third Division team who had pushed Wolves to the brink of defeat during Saturday's 2-2 draw, had clung grimly to the hope of a Highbury Jackpot in a first half examination of their defensive qualities. But Wolves began making and squandering chances to put the replay beyond Exeter's reach from the early minutes. Norman Bell, moving onto a through ball from Willie Carr, struck the first opportunity a yard wide. The Wolves striker was again at fault when Derek Parkin's. cross from the left was flicked on by Ken Hibbitt to leave him with an unmarked header which also went wide. Richards was no nearer with a far post header from Hibbitt's free kick and it took Wolves half an hour to offer a praise worthy goal attempt. It came from a pre planned setpiece, with Carr's corner pulled back 25 yards for Steve Daley to deliver a powerful volley which dipped inches over the Exeter bar. Daley should then have given Wolves the lead from an easier chance but he shot over from eight yards after Richards had headed on Hibbitt's free kick. Exeter goalkeeper Richard Key had been well protected but he had to produce a fine save from Maurice Daly after he had been sent clear of the defence by Bell. But Wolves finally accepted a chance in the 38th minute. A superb through ball from Daley allowed Richards to race clear of the defensive cover and he calmly slid his shot past the stranded Key. With Richards impressively spearheading their ceaseless attacks, Wolves continued to create enough chances to bury Exeter. Another perfect pass from Richards allowed Daley to race through the middle for a 20 yard shot which demanded a spectacular diving save from Key. A right-wing cross from Richards paved the way for Bell to beat Key with a close range header, which was dis allowed by referee John Home wood for no apparent reason.
Beaten
But 21-year-old Key, responding magnificently to the repeated demands being made on him, needed no reprieve from the referee as he produced tremendous saves to keep out fierce shots from Geoff Palmer and Hibbitt. Key was finally beaten again in the 78th minute when the busy Hibbitt moved on to John McAlle's through pass and scored Wolves' second with a well-struck 20-yard shot, Exeter's persistence in the face of enormous pressure was rewarded in the 86th minute. when Tony Kellow headed in a right wing cross from Lee Roberts, a former Wolves amateur. But the threat to Wolves fourth round visit to Arsenal was minimal as Daley emphasised within a minute by striding on to Bell's pass and shooting the third goal.