Hundreds of enthusiasts journeyed from Exeter for the match, including a gaily decorated party of vocalists and instrumental ists with a leader dressed in red and white, and a huge crowd was expected at the Bristol City headquarters.

BRISTOL CITY
Vallis 
Hughes Banfield
Neesam Matthews Torrance
Worlock Walker Smith Sutherland Pocock

Referee:- Mr A.L.Grinstead, of London.

Dockray Davis Crockford Kirk Matthews Crompton Mitton Rigby
Ackroyd Pollard
Pavey 
EXETER CITY

The Grecians were not asked to change colours, and Crompton won the toss in glorious weather with 12,000 spectators present. Exeter defended the town end in the opening half.

Good combination by Bristol was rewarded with a corner, and from Worlock's well placed kick Walker headed on to the top of the bar, and over. Ackroyd made a timely clearance from Worlock when the winger was in a scoring position. Exeter City made an ineffectual effort to carry play to the other end, but their passes went astray in the thick mud and water. The Babes worked their way back to the Exeter end, and Smith claimed a goal when Crompton "nailed" the ball on the goal line, but in any case he was ruled offside. Then Exeter missed a glorious chance. Kirk forged ahead from the half-way line, and on reaching the penalty area shot hard. Vallis fisted the ball out to Crockford, and the Fulham man, faced with a gaping goal, hit the side of the post.

Pollard was penalised for shouldering Pocock off the ball. The free-kick on the edge of the penalty area was turned behind by Mitton, and the corner kick cleared. Vallis next was in action, saving from Kirk and Dockray.

Three minutes before the interval Walker gave Smith a clear opening from which the centre-forward went on to score from four yards range. Exeter made great efforts, and Vallis effected a brilliant save from Dockray.

Second Half.

There was a suspicion of offside about Bristol City's goal, both the Exeter backs claiming that Smith was too far up at the time of Walker putting the ball across. The Bristol forwards and halves had shown a good understanding in the first half, though their defence was inclined to get rattled under pressure. Exeter hardly deserved to be a goal down on the play so far. When the game was resumed Dockray was fouled on the edge of the penalty area, and the free kick caused a certain liveliness in the Babes' goalmouth but nothing more.

Exeter opened out the play, and continued very aggressive, Vallis diving full length to stop a shot from Davis but failing to hold the ball. Kirk dashed up at full speed and drove the leather against the goalkeeper's body, whence it rebounded into safety. Bristol reached the Exeter end for the first time this half, play then having been in progress for fully five minutes, and from a corner kick Sutherland headed against the upright.

Davis Scores for the Grecians.

Exeter got busy again, and a free kick for hands was taken by Crompton, to whom the ball was returned. He lofted it into the middle nicely, and it slithered off Crockford to the left foot of Davis, who beat Vallis with a grand shot just under the bar. The goalkeeper handled the ball but was unable to stop it. For the next few minutes Exeter were on the defensive, but no shot was sent in.

With twenty minutes remaining Rigby tackled Pocock, and the pair fell, with Rigby's leg doubled up underneath him. It was at once apparent that a serious accident had happened, for Pocock shouted for assistance, and ambulance men carried Rigby off on a stretcher with his right knee badly damaged. The crowd showed their sympathy by applauding him heartily as he was carried off the ground. Kirk dropped back to Rigby's place, and Exeter City continued the game with four forwards.

Kirk Sent Off.

Ten minutes from time Kirk aimed at the ball but missed, and kicked Pocock instead. It appeared to have been an accident but after some delay the referee ordered Jazzo off, and Exeter had to continue with only nine men. They concentrated on defence, packing their goal, and leaving Dockray and Matthews the only forwards in the line.

Pavey made two saves from Smith and one from last five minutes.

Exeter Reserves v Bristol City Reserves.

The Southern League team from Bristol, who are one of the strongest sides in the competition, were due at St James's Park today, and a keen game was anticipated. The weather was a vast improvement on most recent Saturday afternoons at Exeter, and there was a slight breeze.

Exeter City Reserves:- Fryer; Flynn and Bell; Richards, Duke, and Southway; Newman, Camble, Parsons, Shelton, and Lendon.

Bristol City Reserves:- Goddard; Dyer and Jones; Pullan, Davies, and Price; Brown, Hall, Williams, Mooney, and Compton.

Referee:- Mr T.Kirby.

As the Bristol team, led by Eddie Jones, entered the field the Band accorded the customary musical tribute to returning Grecians, "Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot," and the crowd cheered. Jones won the toss in competition with Southway, who was a colleague at Bristol, and hearty greetings were exchanged.

Within a couple of minutes of the start Williams scored for Bristol, the ball from his shot striking the upright and rolling into the net. After a long punt from one of the half-backs had crashed against the crossbar Richards saved the situation with a hefty kick to touch.

Shelton was fouled when rushing through, and a penalty given the Grecians. Flynn took the kick, but shot too straight, and Goddard tipped the ball over the bar. Hall scored for Bristol and was knocked out in collision with Fryer.

Duke netted for Exeter in the second half with a header from Shelton's centre, but Mooney beat Fryer to maintain the margin of two goals.

Result:
City Reserves 1 Bristol Reserves 3.

Merthyr V Exeter City

MATCH POSTPONED A SECOND TIME

Thursday, February 22nd.

Today Exeter City were due to visit Peny darren Park, Merthyr Tydfil, to fulfil the Football League fixture with the Marthyrs postponed from December 16th on account of the Welsh club's cup tie engagement on that day. A very hard game was promised, and Exeter City proposed to make two alterations at half-back for this contest.

However, at the last moment news was received from Merthyr that their ground was under water, and in consequence no play was possible.

Mitton's ankle is still sore from the injury he received at Ashton Gate, and the choice of a substitute for the position of centre-half fell on J.Duke, whose form with the City Reserves has attracted much attention.

Rigby's knee will incapacitate him from any physical activity for many months. The X-ray examination has shown that whilst no bone is broken the ligaments are torn, and the surgical verdict is that he will have to have the joint in plaster for a period of six months, with massage for another three months. If he is careful the limb should be as strong as ever, afterwards. As soon as the knee has been put in plaster Rigby will be able to return to Exeter.