SATURDAY 24th AUGUST 1957.

CITY'S 5-0 THRASHING.

EXETER CITY 0
Hunter; John, MacDonald; Lightly, Packer, Simpson; Wilson, Currie, Calland, Atkinson, Churms,

SOUTHEND UNITED 5.
Threadgold; Williamson, Anderson; Duthie, Stirling, Duffy; Crossan, McCrory, Hollis, Baron, McGuigan,

Scorers Southend Hollis 3, McCrory, McGuigan,
Attendance 10,234,

It was not simply a plain City defeat, it was a humiliating defeat which sent the City supporters away, miserable and dispirited and mouthing caustic comments on chairman A.S.Line's message in the programme, "This afternoon starts a new era at St James's Park," The City defence was ripped open time after time by the speed and quick thinking of the Southend forwards, A large part of the blame must be chalked on the blackboard of schoolmaster Packer. He was right out of his class. The fast moving centre forward Hollis sped past him contless times, scored three goals and had a foot in the goals from McCrory and McGuigan. New left back MacDonald did not fare any better in a City defence which was one of the weakest ever seen, The only newcomer to impress was Lightly, who did surprisingly well, remained cool and looked a great prospect, There the praise must end with a complete stopBefore Southend had scored their opening goal City had hard luck when Churms hit an upright with a tremendous shot