SATURDAY 25th AUGUST 1956.

GOALS FOR COLUMN STILL HAS A BIG 0 AGAINST IT.

EXETER CITY 0
Hunter: Doyle, Mitchell; John, Parr, Porteous, Simpson, Burke, Currie, Divers, Buckle,
SOUTHAMPTON 4
Christie; Wilkins, Traynor; McGowan, Parker, Elliot; FloodReeves, Shields, Mulgrew, Walker,

Attendance 9,127,

The third game and still no goals. The third season in a row that manager Norman Dodgin has had to start the campaign with the thought that he has not found the immediate solution to the club's goalscoring problem, Bluntly City were weak in every position, unbelievably weak in some places, Southampton a good swift footballing side, they were made to look like World masters after mistakes by a clueless City, although they tried hard, Southampton took a first minute lead, Shields scoring from a lob into the goalmouth by Elliot. Mulgrew increased the lead in the 15th minute, Walker after 67 minutes scored the third in off Part and ten minutes later Shields got his second goal of the match and Southampton's fourth. Except for ten minutes in the second half City were outplayed and but for the desperation City's suspect defence put into their efforts Southampton could well have doubled their tally, The forward line was poor, Burke worked hard, but Buckle and Simpson gave their third lifeless performance, Currie nor Divers looked ready for Third Division football, they are too slow and they were caught offside on occasionsJust one consolation for City after their appalling display, neighbours Argyle did even worse


Southern League 

Kettering v Exeter City Reserves

Kettering Snatch Victory In Hard Fought Game. Lawton Arch Schemer v Exeter City Reserves

Exeter City Reserves brought in Beer at centre-forward for Sword, and with Thomas still injured Grinney kept his place on the right wing. Exeter's defence was soon resisting stoutly a lively Kettering attack in which player-manager Tommy Lawton, the old English international, was the schemer.

Robinson tested Lobbett with a strong centre soon after the start and then with play swinging from end to end both Thomas and Lawton put in shots that were blocked after Wheeler had saved from Beer. Exeter's first real threat, however, came when Rees swung the ball across the home goalmouth, but nobody was up to take advantage. Next, Houghton was only inches over the top with a long range shot. Kettering returned to the attack and twice in quick succession shots by Robinson went just wide of the City Reserves' goal. Rees received treatment after being involved in a collision with the Kettering right half, but carried on. Exeter were never in the picture, and the home wing halves joined in the attack. Twice inside ten seconds Lawton nearly netted from short range, first with his head and second with a clever black-flick of the boot. Other Kettering raids saw Thomas fire in a shot which Lebbett fisted away for Goodwin to send the ball over the bar. But it was not until one minute before the interval that the home side scored, despite all their pressure. Receiving the ball from Dixon on the right Robinson, out on the other side of the field near the corner flag belted it on the half-volley straight into the net. It was a great half-volley and a most fantastic shot. In the second half Kettering continued to attack unceasingly till the 61st minute when an Exeter breakaway saw Willis equalise with a fine drive from 25 yards out. After that the home side again pressed strongly and Dixon netted with a header, but some of his team-mates were offside and the goal was not allowed. Thomas scored in the 81st minute to give Kettering a hard fought win, although territorially there had been only one team in it.

Kettering:- Wheeler; McDonald, Jackson; Geard, Plummer, Moss; Goodwin, Dixon, Lawton, Thomas, Robinson.

City Res:- Lobbett; Foley, Ferrier; Packer, Harvey, Houghton; Grinney, Willis, Beer, Phoenix, Rees.

Referee:- Mr R.J.Pike of London.

Result:- Kettering 2 Exeter City Reserves 1.