Bristol City 5-1 ECFC 

Scorers: Wardle

Attendance: 7465

27th December 1945

Eight thousand spectators at Ashton Gate, Bristol, saw Thomson in the Exeter goal complete several fine clearances in a fast game, before Clark gave Bristol the lead after 20 minutes. Bristol, faster and better balanced, took complete control after the interval when they got four more goals. The lone Exeter goal was scored by Wardle, who was again the losers' best forward.

BRISTOL CITY TOO GOOD FOR EXETER

Clark Scores Three


For the greater part of their Third League South (South) game with Exeter City at Ashton Gate yesterday, Bristol City dominated the game and were worthy winners. Apart from one or two well planned attacks by the home team, play was rather scrappy in the first period and the City missed many opportunities by playing too close together. In the second half both teams played fast, open football, with the City working better as a team. Their attacks were well planned and positional play was of a high standard. Clark, the City centre-forward, had a field day, scoring three goals. He was well supported by his inside men and the wing halves, Morgan and Chilcott. In defence Roberts, Guy and Hancock held a tight grip on the Exeter forwards. The last named. a Peasedown Welfare Institute player who was given a trial, did all that was asked of him. For Exeter Wardle at inside-right was most prominent, but their forwards were slow and showed poor understanding. In defence they were best served by Roughton, their seasoned left-back.

The home team opened promisingly and after shots by Morgan and Hargreaves were scrambled away, Clark put them ahead after 20 minutes following a good movement by Morgan and Collins. After this, play deteriorated and although the home side did all the attacking they seldom looked dangerous. A defensive mistake three minutes after the resumption increased lead when Blood, the Exeter centre-half, headed into his own goal. From then onwards the City made rings round their opponents and Clark added two goals in quick succession, finishing off some excellent approach work. Exeter recovered and Wardle capped a fine individual effort by beating Eddolls. This come-back was short lived, however, and another good movement by the home side sent Clark away on the left wing. Hargreaves, receiving Clark's centre, passed low across goal where Collins easily beat Thomson. Shortly before the end, and in an effort to save a corner, Eddolls pulled a leg muscle and was carried off the field. Morgan deputised in goal.

The paid attendance numbered 7,465. Teams:-
Bristol City:
Eddolls: Guy, Hancock; Morgan, Roberts, Chilcott; Collins, Curran, Clark, Willliams, Hargreaves.

Exeter City:
Thomson; Murray, Roughton; Jordan, Blood, Cutting; Challis, Wardle, Crawshaw, Walker, Langford.

Referee: Mr G. Searle.

FRIENDLY MATCH.
ROYAL MARINES AT ST. JAMES'S PARK.
Saturday, December 29th 1945.

EXETER CITY 11 (Ebdon 7, Warren 2, Regan 2) 
ROYAL MARINES 3 (Tripe, Crick, Parry)

Exeter City:- Leitch; Booth, Govier; Cutting, Coles, Partridge; Shiels, Warren, Ebdon, Perkins, Regan.

Royal Marines:- Waldron; Topham, Peck; Boyd, Hayes, Lewis; Astill, Crick, Tripe, Parry, Harper.

The Marines scored first but were overwhelmed and beaten by eleven goals to three in the friendly against Exeter City. The City included Arthur Coles, one of their prewar players, Shiels of Basingstoke, Perkins of Topsham, and Regan of the Fleet Air Arm. Ebdon, playing against different opposition from that to which he normally encounters, had an "afternoon out." He claimed seven goals including one penalty, and his marksmanship was more in keeping with the old Ebdon standard. Another City forward to impress was D.Regan, playing in his first match for the Grecians. He is an outside-left who controls the ball cleverly and knows how to beat his man and get into position. Perkins showed many clever and promising touches, while Warren had an abundance of energy and a fair degree of footcraft. The half back line, in which Coles and Cutting took most of the honours, had command of the majority of the midfield exchanges. Govier made a useful contribution at left back.

THIRTEEN GOALS AT THE PARK. LEADERS OF THE SERVICES LEAGUE BEAT EXETER CITY.

Saturday, January 5th 1946.

EXETER CITY 6 (Coles 2, Ebdon 3, Lake) HOLDING BATTALION ROYAL MARINES 7 (McGinty 3, Whewell, Gant, Coles own goal, Dunn)

Attendance 2,000.

Exeter City:- Tregale; Booth, Sage; Cutting, Coles, Angus; Regan, Lake, Ebdon, Casey, Langford.
Royal Marines:- Hannaford; Tallis, Whewell; Dunn, Biggs, Butcher; Stoker, McGinty, Gant, Gallagher, Harper.

Another high-scoring game was seen at St. James's Park, where an Exeter City XI was slightly unlucky to lose by the odd goal of 13 to the Holding Battalion Royal Marines, leaders of the local City
Services' League. Despite the score Tregale, a local amateur goalkeeper, gave a very creditable exhibition. Coles was outstanding in the half back 'line, which was handicapped through Cutting being injured before the half time interval. Regan again showed promise when he reverted to his true position of outside left in the second half. For the Holding Battalion Gallagher was in a class of his own. The winners were a strong and forceful side and their goals were mostly obtained from good attacking moves. Coles's two goals for the City were both shot from the penalty spot.