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Exeter City F.C. - Match Details Exeter City F.C. - Match Details
Saturday 8th February 1997
| Exeter City 0 | Rochdale 0 |
(Half Time: 0-0) |
|
City Details:
| Team: | Bayes, Chamberlain (Steele 68), Hughes, Minett, Blake, N.Richardson, Braithwaite (Ghazghazi 62), J.Richardson, Flack (Baddeley 76), Bailey, Rees |
| Subs
Not Used: |
|
Scorers: |
|
| Bookings: |
Rochdale Details:
| Team: | Gray, Fensome, Dowell, Johnson, Hill, Farell, Russell, Deary, Painter, Whithall, Thackeray |
| Subs
Not Used: |
Thompson, Gouck, Formby |
Scorers: |
|
| Bookings: | Farrell, Dowell, Johnson |
Match Facts:
| Attendance: | 2,849 |
| Goals: | |
| Referee: | David Orr (Iver) |
| Groovy Grecian: | Mark Chamberlain |
Match Report:
Sufyan Ghazghazi almost provided a winning goal but shot agonisingly wide of Ian Gray's right-hand post. The former England Schools marksman substituted Braithwaite after 62 minutes.
The Grecians, who were without the services of striker Darren Rowbotham, rarely threatened the Rochdale defence. But Graham Barrow's men only once appeared to be capable of penetrating the home defence. Ashley Bayes made a superb save to his left to block Alex Russell's ferocious volley and preserve his first clean sheet since a 0-0 November draw with Hull.
Gray was forced into action just 39 seconds, reacting to save Steve Flack's volley, and immediately saw Noel Blake's header flash across the goal. Alan Johnson then recovered superbly to block Braithwaite's sixth minute attempt at source after the frontrunner had raced onto Danny Bailey's through ball.
Rochdale's opening period effort to note saw Bayes smother Andy Fensome's 25-yard piledriver at the second attempt. Flack then saw Gray grab his header from Mark Chamberlain's 18th minute cross and Chamberlain - relishing a new free role - then dragged a left-footed effort wide after enterprising work by Flack and Braithwaite. After the early pressure by Exeter, their grip began to relax.
Rugged Rochdale, who collected three yellow cards for their uncompromising approach, stifled effectively. And ex-Argyle defender Keith Hill and centre back partner Alan Johnson almost providing telling contributions from set-pieces.
Flack eventually nodded too close to Gray from Jason Minett's 63rd minute free-kick before loanee midfielder Jason Rees failed to direct a speculative long-range effort. Bayes then produced his customary startling reflex stop to deny Russell and rouse City into a decent late spell. Flack and Jon Richardson tested Gray before Ghazghazi, now partnering Noel Blake in a novel Exeter attack, almost stole the show. Minett fed Tim Steele and the substitute's clever backheel sent Ghazghazi scampering beyond Hill for a right-footed effort that flashed frustratingly wide.
Next Match:
Saturday 15th February V Hull City(A) (Div. 3)
Page last updated: 17 June 1997