Monday, March 15th 1948.

Exeter City v Plymouth Argyle 

EXETER CITY 1 (Ebdon) 
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 (Smith)

Half-time City 1 Argyle 1.
Friendly, at St James's Park.

Joint benefit for Jack Angus and Richard Ebdon.

Attendance 7,527, receipts £648. 19s. 9d.

City: Hoyle; Coles, Blood; Bartholomew, Angus, Walker; Hutchings, Wardle (Cardiff City), Ebdon, Mackay, Regan. Argyle:- Shortt; Ratcliffe, P.Jones; L.Jones, Warren, Davies; Mulholland, Smith, Hall, Murphy, Buist.

The City's goal was scored from a penalty by Ebdon, one of the two beneficiaries, given against the Argyle goalkeeper after he had been adjudged to have fouled Wardle in the fifth minute. The Argyle's quick equaliser was the outcome of a classic left wing movement which bore the hallmark of the brilliant Hardie Leslie Black left-wing triangle of the Argyle's golden era of the 1920s. An entertaining struggle between the Devon rivals was waged at a fast pace and a draw was a fair result. Although Plymouth were the more skilful combination the outstanding individual player on the field was George Wardle, the former Exeter forward, who had obtained special permission from his present club and the Football League to allow him to appear in this match. It was a sporting gesture by both Wardle and the Cardiff City club, and warmly appreciated by Exeter City, their players, and spectators. The receipts from the game will be shared by those two grand Exeter players, now veterans with years of loyal service behind them, Jack Angus and "Digger" Ebdon.

Wednesday, March 17th 1948.
Southern League:
City Reserves 0 Gillingham 0.

Played at St James's Park, attendance 3000.

A Goalless Game

Gillingham's Point at Exeter

Against an Exeter team half of whom had 1st team experience, Gillingham earned a very useful point in a goalless game at the City ground on Wednesday before 3,000 spectators.

Collins, Piper, Forrester and Akers were all unable to play. Forrester being let down by a delayed train. Burke, Trumper, Morris and Warsap filled the gaps. Morris partnered Wilson on the right wing, with Briggs and Warsap on the other flank. Trumper made up the half back line. Although not at full strength Gillingham could have won with more sparkle and finish in the forward line and their point was very largely due to stout defensive work. Morris, Russell and Warsap each missed good scoring chances and the Gillingham attack had little of the lustre that so outshone Gloucester. Briggs, as a 90 minute performer, and Russell, who came into something like his own in the second half, were the best. Morris was a trier but Wilson lapsed into inconsistency and Warsap seemingly was still feeling the effects of his ankle injury. Forrester's presence with his customary skill and punch would probably have turned the scales. But taking everything into account a draw was a commendable result. A high fitful wind upset good football and the ball was mostly in the air. Yet the tall Exeter side had nothing on Gillingham for head work, especially in the rear, where the visiting defence en bloc were very much in the picture. Dorling gave a first class display of intelligent and resourceful defence and was just about the outstanding man of the match. Closely following him were Kingsnorth, supremely steady "under fire", the consistently sound Boswell and a whole hearted Trumper, who could get up to the high balls. From a somewhat erratic start Poole came on a lot. Exeter's best match-winning opportunity was brilliantly opportunity was brilliantly foiled by Burke.

Teams

Exeter:- Hoyle; Warren, Blood; P.Fallon, Davey, Jeffrey; Granville, Grant, Smart, Wright, J.Gould.

Gillingham:- Collins; Dorling, Poole; Boswell, Kingsnorth, Piper; Warsop, Wilson, Russell, Briggs, Forester.