SATURDAY 21st SEPTEMBER 1957.

BACK TO THE WALL FIGHT ENDED IT.

EXETER CITY 1
Bell; Foley, Mitchell; Butterworth, Harvey, Waterman; Wilson, Rees, Calland, Churms, Robinson,

PORT VALE 0
Jones; Donaldson, Hatward; Whalley, Corberry, Sproson; Askey, Poole, Wilkinson, Steele, Cunliffe,

Scorer Exeter City Robinson,

Attendance 9,397.

City's victory gave Port Vale's promotion hopes a jolt and they can thank their lively forwards in the first half for the points, plus a determined, dogged defence in the second half. No one watching City's roaring, rampaging start to the game could have visualised the grim backs to the wall second half struggle.

Exeter might have scored twice before they did take the lead in the 5th minute when Currie lofted the ball in from the goalline for Robinson to head past Jones. For a good half hour they had the experience Vale defence booting anywhere to get a moments peace, Robinson, Wilson and Calland were all inches away from increasing the City lead, Gradually Port Vale settled down, when they came out in the second half they were transformed. Their smooth classy midfield football had City running six ways at once, but with Harvey and Mitchell outstanding the defence held on, tackling furiously and never giving up. With the cool experience of Mitchell to rally them, City's youths showed that they were as dour in defence as they had been jubilant in attack, An all round triuumph for the defence. A 45 minute triumph for a lively dangerous forward line in which Wilson had his best game since joining City.


Southern League 

GUILDFORD 0.
EXETER CITY RESERVES 1
Hunter; John, MacDonald; Goodman, Packer, Beer; Grinney, Hill, Rapley, Cleverley, Skuse,

Scorer Exeter City Hill,