Bristol Rovers 2-1 ECFC
Scorers: Walker 
Attendance: 7000

THE NEW CUP COMPETITION.
WOLVES GOALKEEPER SIGNS FOR EXETER CITY.

Saturday, January 12th 1946.

Exeter City fielded their new goalkeeper, Bernard Singleton, who was transferred from Wolverhampton Wanderers on Thursday, and he played a very smart game between the sticks.

Exeter City team:- Singleton; Topham and Blood; Jordan, Coles, and Angus; Tickell, Wardle, Walker, Bowden, and Ebdon.

BRISTOL ROVERS 2  (Lambden, Petherbridge)
EXETER CITY 1 (Walker)
Half-time score:- Rovers 0 City 0.
Attendance 7,000.

Referee:- Mr J.M.Wiltshire, of Sherborne.

The football was much better than the conditions today at Eastville, where Bristol Rovers and Exeter City fought out an entertaining duel in the new 3rd Division South Cup Competition on a playing field six inches deep in mud in some places. Studied, accurate methods were almost impossible on such a pitch. The essentials were energy and staying power, and these were possessed in full measure by both sets of players. Exeter City lost by the odd goal of three, yet their performance had many pleasing features. There was a big improvement in the work of the half back line. Coles was a splendid pivot, and his speed and powers of recovery were very strikingly emphasised when he tore back many yards to overhaul and dispossess Lambden when the Rovers' centre-forward had the seemingly open road to goal. Angus kept going splendidly, made light of the heavy conditions, and showed good judgment in parting with the ball. His placing of a free kick from which Walker headed Exeter's goal was a model of perfection. Once again Wardle was the City's most accomplished forward, although the first of Bristol's goals followed directly on his losing the ball when tackled by Bamford. Walker had a goal disallowed on account of offside. Tickell had hard luck with a first-time shot which skidded wide with the goalkeeper well beaten.