WALSALL V EXETER CITY:

SATURDAY APRIL 23RD 1955

Two teams in desperate need of points met at Fellows Park today and the City, meeting Walsall, were a goal down in the first minute. It turned out to be a poor game by foot-of-the-table teams. Exeter began disastrously and seldom got a grip on things. The best man on the Exeter side was Harvey, who toiled in vain.

The battle of the basement clubs ended with Walsall being given a sporting chnce to avoid a re- election application, whilst the defeat does City's cause no good at all. They now walk unsteadily on the re-election tight rope. One can find very little to praise about this City team, but much to find fault aboutBell was blameless for the goal which brought disaster to the visiting team and Harvey a strong dominant centre half were the bright spots of the side along with Murphy, Douglass and Mitchell. The goal came when Walsall advanced down the left wing, the attack looked to be under control when Doyle had possession of the ball, he dallied too long and conceded a corner, the flag shot was a short one, Richards met it and shot hard and low into the net, Murphy was far and away above any other man in the Exeter attack, He was good the rest were failures, void of snap and making little attempt to play cohesive football, if they made a pass they stood and looked on or worse than that they neglected to challenge firmly for possession

Walsall:- Chilvers; Guttridge, Vinall; Fereday, McPherson, Tarrant; Morris, Dorman, Richards, Love, Webb.
Exeter City:- Bell; B.Doyle, Douglass; Dunne, Harvey, Mitchell; Thomas, Mackay, John, Murphy, McClelland. Result: Walsall 1 Exeter City 0.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE 

CITY RESERVES v HEADINGTON

Stan Rowe came into the Reserves' side for the match with Headington at St James's Park this afternoon, Foley moving to right back. The visitors won by two goals to nil, their first being scored for them by Walton, who sliced the ball into his own net, and the second by Skull from Bain's centre.

CITY RESERVES:- Kelly; Foley, Rowe; Ellaway, Walton, Houghton; Priestley, Anderson, Donaldson, Robinson, Rees. HEADINGTON:- Otter; Ramshaw, Nicklas; Jackson, Craig, Crichton; Skull, Yates, Varney, Duncan, Bain.