SATURDAY FEB. 23RD 1957.

GILLINGHAM 2
(CROSSAN, CLARK)
EXETER CITY 1
(BUCKLE).
BACK TO "THE PLAN" BUT CITY LOSE:

With George Willis being chosen at centre-forward at Gillingham this afternoon, it was obvious that Exeter City were going back once more to the deep-lying "Plan," with Willis taking the role which Mitchell filled earlier in the season. The City's first success with the Mitchell Plan was a 4-nil win over today's opponents at St James's Park. Exeter's captain today was the newest player, Noel Simpson.

Gillingham:- Kingshott; Parry, Marks; Boswell, Nekrews, Riggs; Crossan, Baxter, Watts, Clark, Lucas.

Exeter City:- Hunter; Lackenby, Mitchell; John, Harvey, N.Simpson; Buckle, Thomas, Willis, Currie, Rees.

Referee:- Mr R.E.Smith of Newport.

No one could have complained had the City taken a point for they had most of the game in the second half. In the very last seconds of the game Parry and the thick mud combined to stop Buckle's header on the goal-line, and that was the hardest luck of all. The whole defence played well, especially in the second half. Currie was far and away the best forward on the field.

Attendance 3,398.

Southern League:-
Exeter City Reserves 1 (Marsh) Cheltenham 2 (Burns and Phillips)

at St James's Park.

Exeter gave a trial to two players, Kenneth Anderson, outside-left, from Mitcham, and Colin Jones, left back, from Pontypridd.

Exeter City 1, Cheltenham Town 2

The score sheet only gives Chel- tenham a one goal superiority but in fact they had the beating of Exeter for 70 of the 90 minutes. Wingers Phillips and Burder did most of the damage and it was from these two that the goals came. The first in the 21st minute when Phillips nodded in Burder's cross and then, seven minutes after half-time Burder sent over another perfect centre for Burns to head in. In contrast to Cheltenham's neat, quick inter-passing, Exeter relied mainly on one-man attacks which the visitors easily broke down. Only one of these solo efforts came off- when Marsh fastened on to a long ball down the centre and scored two minutes from the end.

• Alan Sword on Wednesday last was transferred to Bridgwater. Bideford had earlier tried to sign him but the player refused, although the clubs had agreed terms.