EXETER CITY DESERVE POINTS IN EXCITING PROMOTION DUEL

OVER-EAGERNESS COSTS CHANCES

By Exonian

Exeter City 2, Workington 1.

IT was excitement, sheer toe-tingling excitement, all the way in this tough test between two sides well placed in the promotion race. Exeter deserved to win, but Workington made them fight until the last whistle. After having the shock of seeing Workington take an eighth-minute lead, Exeter really got down to the job of catching up and then going ahead.

It was in the first half that Exeter really showed their superiority, constantly chasing. challenging, and probing. Chances were missed, but mainly because of over-eagerness. Almost every Exeter forward at one time or another nearly got one, but even when Exeter were in such command, Workington remained a constant threat. 

CONFIDENT DEFENCE

In the second half Exeter gradually got back on top and finally went ahead. That was in the 69th minute, and, strangely, it was then that Workington played some of their best football. But the confident Exeter defence were up to the job of holding the fiery Workington forwards.

Workington went ahead after eight minutes. A pass from right winger Middlemas completely caught the defence on the wrong foot and centre-forward Commons took the easiest of chances. Exeter did not wilt under the shock. They raced into the attack and began to move the ball with real authority. The equaliser was inevitable although it brought suspense to the crowd. Graham Rees's shot hit the upright with goalkeeper Owers well beaten. As the ball rebounded Alan Banks, running in firmly, put it into the net. But as the Exeter players rejoiced referee Lyden consulted a linesman who had flagged for offside before awarding the goal. There was no further scoring until the 69th minute. Mitchell took a free kick for a foul on George Ley, and Grace was on the spot to head the ball into the net.

EXETER CITY 2,
Barnett; Smyth, MacDonald; Mitchell, Harvey, Anderson; Rees, Banks, Thorne, Grace, Ley.
WORKINGTON 1,
Ower; Johnston, Lumsden; Furphy, Brown, Burknshaw; Middlemass, Carr, Commons, Moran, Martin,

Scorers
Exeter City:- Grace, Banks,
Workington:- Commons.

Referee D.J, Lyden (Birmingham).

Attendance: 7.286.


Western League

MINEHEAD 2, CITY RESERVES 0,

Team 
Parkhill; Rutley, Patrick; Henderson, Parsons, Gough; Welsh, Stuckey, Riding, Symington, Spiers,

FRIDAY 10th JANUARY 1964.

One new face at the Exeter City v Gillingham game tomorrow will be Mr Fred Dart a Shaldon business man who was welcomed by chairman Mr Reg Rose onto the City board of directors at last night's board meeting.