SOUTHPORT 0 
EXETER CITY 1 (Nicholls)

28th April 1959

Played at Haig-avenue,

Exeter City collected two more points to help along their promotion efforts. They never really struck their best form, nevertheless they were worthy winners of a game which promised much in the early stages and then became tame. City had to face a strong wind in the first half, but once they settled down, they caused much anxiety around the Southport goal, Nicholls who was unlucky to see a tremendous 25 yard drive fly by the wrong side of the post in the first half, proved to be City's match winner in the second, Foley swept a free kick into the middle in the 48th minute, Mitchell nodded the ball on for Nicholls to hit on the volley into the net,

City eased off for the rest of the game and appeared to be playing well within themselvesThey almost paid dearly for those tactics in the closing minutes for not pressing home their advantage. It needed a rugged rearguard action to keep Southport at bay, Southport were a poor side and City no doubt were thankfull that the opposition were not stronger in view of the fact that they were going to face a tremendous test in the vital game at Shrewsbury on Thursday night,

Southport:- Richardson; Dodd, Rankin; Leach, Darvell, Williams; Grant, McDermott, Green, Barker, Bromilow.

Exeter City: Lobbett; Foley, Whitnall; Butterworth, Oliver, Thompson; Stiffle, Rees, Mitchell, Nicholls, Dale.

Referee:- Mr L. N. Peake of Rotherham.

Attendance 2,646.

WEDNESDAY 29th APRIL 1959.

GUILDFORD 1-1 EXETER CITY RESERVES 

CITY COULD HAVE TAKEN TWO POINTS

If Guildford had taken all their chances they could have won this game by a comfortable three-goal margin. Though their midfield football was good and they often worked the ball well enough to leave Exeter's defence standing, their finishing was terrible and they played as if they had never heard of the offside law (writes 'our Exeter correspondent).

Guildford got a corner straight from the kick-off, but though Exeter were pinned in their own penalty area for the first five minutes, they scored as soon as they got away, through centre-forward Carberry. Almost at once Guildford pushed them back on the defensive again. But several times City were stopped be- cause two or more of their men stood yards offside while the ball was being worked up for them or because of lack of opportunism. Two crosses from Gunning should have been turned into goals-but went un- touched across Exeter's goalmouth; then Edwards made a brilliant 30-yard drib- ble clean through Exeter's defence-and shot wide from six yards. In fact it looked as if City would never score, and when they did it was a gift. Contre-forward Fullick pounced on a bad back pass by left-half Cleverley in the 24th minute. After this there were a few misses by each side but no more goals, and a draw was just about a fair result to this un- inspiring game that really had the end of the season touch

Exeter 
Holehouse, Rutter, England; Cragg, Rapley, Cleverley; Robinson, Pulman, Carberry, Birch, Rackley,

Scorer
Exeter City Carberry,

Peter England a City A-team player is studying at Exeter University .

THURSDAY 30th APRIL
POINT FOR PROMOTION.

If Exeter City can get a point at Shrewsbury Town in tomorrow's game they will be certain of promotion, An attendance of over 10,000 is expected for the game in which points are vital for both sides. If Shrewsbury win, they will be favourites for promotion.