SWINDON TOWN v EXETER CITY. WILTSHIRE COUNTY GROUND,
BOXING DAY, MONDAY DEC. 27TH.

SWINDON TOWN 2 EXETER CITY NIL.

Exeter City yesterday provided Swindon with their first win for ten weeks, when the Railwaymen scored 2 first-half goals without reply. Throughout the first half Exeter were out played in every department except goal. In the first 15 minutes superb shots from Beard, Sampson, and the Swindon McClelland, far out on the right wing, made Kelly fist over the bar, and once his left arm turned an effort by Sampson behind for another corner. The City were scarcely in the picture, Davey finding Hunter (taking Sampson's place at centre-forward), Sampson (displacing Gemmell) and McClelland an inspired trio. In the 23rd minute Hunter started the move which brought the first goal. Gibson, on the right, picked up his pass and centred for Beards to race in from the opposite wing and head a magnificent goal from a very difficult angle.

BROUGHT DOWN.

Eleven minutes later McClelland (of Swindon) was brought down with some force on the right wing, two yards from the touch-line and half way inside the Exeter half of the field. Cross's free kick seemed to deceive Kelly and the ball entered the goal off the far upright. It was a different story in the second half when Swindon, although still on top, eased up considerably. In the first minute Mackay looked likely to score for Exeter but he collided with Page, and both had to receive attention from their trainers. Thomas was again the City's nippiest forward. Several times he broke away but received little or no support from the inside men who like the backs were often uncertain when in possession of the ball. Had Swindon maintained their first half form Exeter must have been well and soundly beaten. As it was they were unable to profit when seeing more of the ball in the second half.
The attendance was 9,550.

CITY RESERVES BEATEN HOME AND AWAY.

Exeter City Reserves disappointed by failing to score and losing the two holiday games with Bath City. Three nothing was the result at Bath on Christmas morning and two nothing was the verdict at St James's Park yesterday, when the best crowd for a Southern League match since the war saw a drab display. The only players in the City team who did not tarnish their reputat ions were Dick Walton, Keith Harvey, and Frank Houghton. Dunne and Donaldson were much to slow. Attendance 4,861, receipts £320. Os.od.

Bath City pressed for a morning kick-off at Bath on Christmas Day because of the gate returns, and Exeter gave in to their wishes. As it turned out, however, fewer than three thousand were present. It must be said in fairness, however, that no buses were running, and people had to walk to the ground. Bath City, after scoring once through Marsden in the first half of the match, were well on top afterwards, and the former Exeter City inside forward, Jackie Knight, who enjoyed a personal triumph, was the scorer of the other two goals. He missed a golden opportunity of a "hat-trick" when he was given a penalty kick to take, but was foiled by Morton, who brought off a brilliant save. In this match Donaldson was a thrustful leader for the City Reserves and Harvey a sound centre half.

Swindon 2.
Burton; Hunt, Page; Cross, Hudson, Williamson; Gibson, McClelland, Hunter, Sampson, Beards.

Exeter City 0
Kelly; Doyle (B), Douglass; Setters, Davey, Mitchell; Thomas, Mackay, John, Murphy, McClelland.

Scorers
Swindon:- Beards, Cross.

Southern League 
Exeter City Reserves 0. Bath City 2.

Exeter Team:-
Morton; Walton, Rowe; Owens, Harvey, Dunne; Priestley, Houghton, Donaldson, Anderson, Rees.

Attendance 4,861.

Receipts £320.48.6d.