CRYSTAL PALACE WERE DESERVING WINNERS. 

BUT EXETER SHOULD NOT HAVE LOST THREE GOALS.

Saturday, March 23rd 1946.

CRYSTAL PALACE 3  (Hudgell, Kurz, Bark)
EXETER CITY 0 
Half-time score:- Palace 2 City 0.
Attendance 12,000.

Crystal Palace:- Graham; Gregory, F.Dawes; A.Dawes, Lewis, Hudgell; Smith, Burrill, Kurz, Bark, Wilson.
Referee: Mr G.J.Reader, of London.
Exeter City:- Singleton; Murray, Blood; Cutting, Coles, Angus; Wardle, Hydes, Ebdon, Wright, Regan.

The Palace were deserving winners on their own ground against Exeter City, but the Grecians were unlucky to lose by so many goals. Their backs were both irresolute in tackling and weak in clearing. Wilson and Smith were allowed far too much latitude. These two accomplished footballers made full use of their freedom and laid the foundations of the Palace victory. Hudgell opened the scoring with a full blooded drive from 25 yards in the thirteenth minute, Singleton being taken by surprise. Kurz gave the Exeter goalkeeper no chance at all with a penalty kick just before half-time, and a combined move by the home forwards came to fruition with Bark shooting the third goal at three quarter time. Coles missed with a penalty for Exeter in the first half, but it is only fair to state that the points were won by the better balanced combination. Crystal Palace were faster on the ball and unyielding in defence.