TWO NEW PLAYERS FOR EXETER: PORTEOUS AND WILLIS. ARGYLE PAIR SIGNED FOR GRECIANS ON THURSDAY.

Exeter City completed the signing on Thursday, March 1st, of two of Plymouth Argyle's first-team players, and a transfer fee was paid.

• John Porteous, wing half-back, 5ft 8ins tall and 11st 21bs in weight, was born at Motherwell 34 years ago. He entered English League football when he was transferred to Plymouth Argyle from Alloa Athletic in July 1949, and has appeared in 215 League matches and numerous cup and other games for the Argyle.
• George Willis, inside forward, is 5ft 8ins and 11st in weight. Born at Newcastle, he is 29 years old and has served Wolverhampton Wanderers, Brighton & Hove Albion, and Plymouth Argyle, for whom he has scored a total of 15 goals in 56 league appearances. Both the new men will be in the City's line up against Northampton Town at St James's Park.

SATURDAY MARCH 3RD 1956:
EXETER CITY 3
NORTHAMPTON TOWN 1.
CITY'S NEW PAIR SHINE AND WILLIS SCORES A GOAL.

This first City win of 1956 was a good one, and it could have been a huge one. Exeter might easily have had several more goals but for two weaknesses on the wings and misses by the smallest fraction. No-one in the defence could be faulted, and newcomers John Porteous and George Willis were in fine form.

Exeter City:- Hunter; Doyle, Mitchell; John, Harvey, Porteous; Simpson, Houghton, Sword, Willis, Rees.
Northampton:- Pickering; Collins, Marston; Yeoman, Hughes, J.Smith; English, Mills, Adams, E.Smith, Fowler.

Seven minutes before half-time Sword with a header scored his first goal in League football. Five minutes after half-time Northampton scored but were pulled up for offside. The City had failed to score from a penalty this season, but when they were awarded one today by referee Pullin skipper Arnold Mitchell took it and scored with a low shot to the right of Pickering. After 61 minutes Sword headed Simpson's centre into the goalmouth, and as the ball bobbed about Willis hooked it into the net.

Southern League 
Bath City v Exeter City Reserves 
Exeter City Reserves played well at Bath and won their match against the "City" by 4 goals to 1. Their goals were scored by Burke, who got two, Iggleden, and Ellaway.

RESERVES PLAY WELL AT BATH

Exeter City Reserves played polished football at Bath this afternoon, and in the early stages of the game gave the home side many anxious moments. Iggleden, the best of the visitors' forwards, raced through just after the start, and was unlucky when his shot went just outside.

Morris, Bath's left-winger, missed a chance before Exeter returned to the offensive. A fine drive by Burke, Exeter centre-forward, was saved by Macdonald. Buckle, the Reserves left-wing man failed with a good chance after which the home goalkeeper saved at point-blank range from Ellaway. Lobbett, Exeter's goalkeeper, ran out to save after Bath had been awarded a free-kick. A centre by Morris placed the visitors' defence in jeopardy, but roley, at lett-back, headed over his own bar, thus averting a very nasty situation.

improvec, but it was generally Exeter, with their more experienced players, who showed the better form. A grand try by Buckle looked a cer- tain goal until McLaren hurled himself into the line of the ball A long-range drive by Ellaway was saved by Macdonald, and Iggleden struck an upright. Lockier, the home left-back, followed through but Lobbett saved.

Exeter were the more constructive eleven and they fully deserved the lead which they gained in the 34th minute when BURKE headed home a centre by Thomas. A hard drive by Thomas was blocked by Lockier after which Gale diverted a drive by Ellaway. IGGLEDEN stored Exeter's second goal in the 37th minute. Knapman, the home centre- forward, almost broke through, but his drive was kicked off the line by Walton. The visitors' goalkeeper snatched the ball when the centre- forward broke away on his own. Macdonald saved from Dunne and Exeter reached the interval well on ton.

Half-time:
Bath City, 0; Exeter City Reserves, 2.

The reserves played determinedly at the start of the second half, and within four minutes made almost certain rain of their first victory in the Southern League over Bath for some years. The first goal was scored by BURKE and the other by ELLAWAY. had nothing to worry about, as they dictated the pattern of play.

Result:-
BATH CITY 1-4 EXETER CITY RESERVES 

Team:- Lobbett; Walton and Foley; Dunne, Packer, and Murphy; Thomas, Ellaway, Burke, Iggleden, and Buckle.

It was Exeter's first victory over Bath in a Southern League match for some years.