CITY HAVE THE BEST OF THE PLAY BUT LOSE. ROVERS WIN THE RETURN CUP TIE.

Saturday, January 19th 1946.
EXETER CITY 0
BRISTOL ROVERS 1 (Bamford)
Half-time score:- City 0 Rovers 0.

Attendance 5,166.

Exeter City:- Singleton; Murray, Blood; Jordan, Coles, Angus; Tickell, Wardle, Walker, Bowden, Ebdon.
Referee:- Mr J.M.Wiltshire, of Sherborne.
Bristol Rovers:- Weare; Topping, Watkins; McCourt, Warren, Whitfield; Davis, Bamford, Lambden, Gardiner, Clark.

Although Exeter City had by far the greater share of the play, the most chances and the most corner kicks, they were beaten by a goal, scored by Bamford, after an hour's play, to nil. Bristol Rovers were fortunate to win because they contributed very little that was constructive in the game, which declined from an entertaining first half to a second half scramble featured by a lot of safety-first touch finding by the visiting team. Yet in their first raid of any consequence the Rovers obtained the decisive goal. A left wing spurt gave them a corner. Gardiner's kick was a model. Davis met the ball, headed it against the crossbar, and Bamford, handily placed for the rebound, shot low into the net. Thereafter the Rovers went back into their defensive shell, and it proved too hard for an Exeter forward line which, Wardle excepted, had neither the qualities of marksmanship nor subtlety required.