Saturday, December 28th 1935.
ALDERSHOT 3 EXETER CITY 0.

Crompton, signed from Crystal Palace a few weeks ago, made his first appearance in the City's Third Division side. He took the place of Gray, who, having pulled a ligament in his knee, was unfit. McLean lost the toss, and on a heavy ground Exeter kicked off before a crowd of less than 3,000.

ALDERSHOT
Robb
Wade Summerbee
Gerrard Oakes Hughes
Williams Lutterloch Merrie Shankly Tinklin
Referee:- Mr E. W. Vokes, of Bath.

Hurst McLean Ebdon T.Scott J.Scott
Angus Robinson Clarke
Miller Crompton
Chesters
EXETER CITY

Scrambling on his hands and knees Merrie headed an amazing goal for Aldershot midway through the second half. Williams, who had played a fine game on the right wing, whipped in a centre, and his comrade, deciding that a header was safer than attempting to kick the muddy ball, got away with it, as described. It was the second and best of Aldershot's three goals. Shankly got the first (before the interval) and the third, and they were a case of slick opportunism both times. Exeter City adopted close passing tactics, which were pretty to watch, but the wrong method on a ground that was so wet it was almost like a bog, and ankle deep in mud. Exeter also did far too much tip-tapping in front of goal. For Aldershot Wade was a safe full-back and Oakes a very sound half back. Merrie, a smart centre-forward who has played for several clubs, including Aberdeen and Portsmouth, has more than doubled the effectiveness of the Aldershot attack. This was his third game for the "soldiers," and Mr. Seed, the club's manager, must sigh with relief that his worst problem, that of centre-forward, is solved. Exeter's outstanding player was Angus, while Crompton on his first appearance kicked with power and precision at right back. The forward line was well balanced and very artistic but their strategy was all wrong. It was the first League match that Exeter had lost for over a month.

CITY RESERVES v
BIDEFORD UNITED.

Both teams made several alterations before the kick-off of to day's game between Exeter Reserves and Bideford at St James's Park. Lowton and Harold May replaced Crompton and L. Leslie in the Exeter team, and Bideford's regular goalkeeper, C. Turner, was replaced by G.Shute. Exeter were soon aggressive, but there was no sufficient sting in their attack to worry the Bideford backs. Sutherley tested Shute with a drive from the left, but the shot was easily cleared. Bideford got away on one occasion, but Bamsey sent them back at once with a long kick.

Gift Goal for City.
After twenty-one minutes Exeter's efforts were rewarded with a "gift" goal. Arthur Milton of Topsham, a centre-forward who has had trials with Torquay United and Bristol City, shot weakly from a few yards out, and the ball went between the legs of the Bideford reserve goalkeeper and into the net. A few minutes later a shot by McArthur struck the crossbar. In the next ten minutes Exeter had scored again, weak goalkeeping by Shute again being responsible. Fantham shot, and Shute allowed the ball to rebound into play, whereupon Milton, catching it on the volley, drove first-time into the net. Burnett got away for Bideford but found the experienced Lowton too clever for him. Shortly before half-time Fantham drove hard into the net, scoring Exeter's third goal. Exeter had complete command of the game in the second half, and Sutherley steered May's pass into the net after Pope had missed the ball. Milton twice with an open goal shot straight at the goalkeeper, and the shooting of all Exeter's forwards was very poor.

Result:- City Reserves 4 Bideford 0. 

City Reserves:- Kirk; Lowton, Brooking; Haller, Bamsey, Fantham; May, McArthur, Milton, Pope, and Sutherley.