First blood to Torquay in promotion battle
By Exonian

Exeter City 0, Torquay United 0

FOR weeks the pundits have been pointing to the Exeter Torquay Easter programme and forecasting that the results of these games could decide the promotion issue. If they are right, then it was first blood to Torquay at Exeter yesterday. Whichever way one looks at this particularly partisan en counter, a draw at Exeter was a good result for Torquay. Over 16,000 people,the highest gate of the season at St. James's Park crowded to see the match, and there was plenty of excitement, incident and controversy. There was enough incident to provide talking points for weeks. Because if, on the face of it, the honours went to Torquay, the fact is they were fortunate to leave with a point. Exeter had the ball in the Torquay net three times and all the goals were disallowed. Even the most partisan will not argue with two of the decisions, but one will be debated for a long time to come.

It seemed a perfectly good goal. After 30 minutes, a cross from Adrian Thorne was pushed forward by Alan Banks. Torquay's Terry Wolstenholme headed the ball for his goalkeeper, but Curtis was on the spot to intercept and crash the ball in. At first, referee Mr New seemed to have given a goal, but the lines man's flag was up and after consultation, despite protests, Mr New awarded a free-kick to Torquay. It was a bitter blow for Exeter who at that stage had overcome a scrappy start and settled down to t get well on top. Pretty well from then on Exeter remained on top and Torquay's role was almost completely defensive, Exeter made their mistakes. Too many times attacks were held up, allowing Torquay plenty of time to cover and often wild passing upset what looked a dangerous move. Torquay played their defensive game hard and effectively and centre-half Bettany got through a tremendous amount of work.

The many goalmouth scrambles brought no reward for Exeter, and the moment it did look as if they would get one came when Graham Rees crashed in a shot that had Terry Adlington beaten, but the ball hit the crossbar.
Torquay's attacking was confined to the spasmodic, but none theless dangerous raid. Very fewi of their movements ended in shots at goal, and two of their best efforts came from right-half Ray Spencer. Torquay were without Robin Stubbs, who failed a late fitness test on his injured thigh. Exeter, too, were nearly affected by illness, but Cecil Smyth, who on Wednesday was in bed with tonsillitis, recovered to play.

Torquay supporters, who arrived in force, were delighted with the result, but the second half of this one long Easter game might end in exactly the same result. 

EXETER CITY
Barnett; Smyth, MacDonald; Hancock, Harvey, Anderson; Rees, Banks, Curtis, Mitchell, Thorne,
TORQUAY UNITED
Adlington; Williams, Allen; Spencer, Bettany, Wolstenholme; Anderson, Northcott, Handley, Jenkins, Pym,

Attendance 16,141 

WESTERN LEAGUE 

BIDEFORD 2, EXETER CITY RESERVES 0,

City Team
Parkhill; Quarrington, Gillard; Spiers, Parsons, Gough; Welsh, Gerrard, Gifford, Rutley, Ley,

Ivor Gillard a 17 year old trialist who has scored 70 goals for Holsworthy this season,

SATURDAY 28th MARCH 1964.

WESTERN LEAGUE 

EXETER CITY RESERVES 2 FROME 2,

Parkhill; Quarrington, Arbury; Pope, Henderson, Rutley; Welsh, Riding, Gerrard,
Redwood, Ley. 

Scorers
Exeter City Gerrard, Ley,