Late Goals After More Injuries
Norwich City 0-3 ECFC

(MATCH REPORT By "NOMAD")

Although Exeter defeated Norwich by 3-0 at St. James's Park to-day, it was not until the last quarter of an hour that they made the game safe. Exeter were leading by a goal at half-time, but thereafter their defence was greatly overworked, and only brilliant clearances by Singleton, allied to a resolute performance by Thompson, saved the situation. Even so, Norwich had many chances, but their forwards were not nearly so good in finishing as in their approach work. Exeter were handicapped during the second half by injuries to Mustard and Hanford, and there were times when the team appeared to be slow and out of gear. The Wright-Regan wing was Exeter's stronger flank, and Wright was the most astute forward on view He frequently opened out the game with intelligent passes Norwich included Norman Low, the former Newport County captain and centre half, whose transfer they secured yesterday at a four-figured fee. Hanford returned to Exeter's side. and Coles went to left back, where he replaced the injured Blood.

Teams:
Exeter City: Singleton: Thompson,
Coles: Cutting, Hanford, Fellowes: Mustard Wardle. Ebdon. Wright, Regan.
Referee: L. E. Gibbs, Reading.
Norwich City: Duke; Flack. Taylor;
Robinson, Low, Williams; Plunkett.
Dutton, Furness. Eyre, Jones.

Conditions were ideal, and there was an attendance of nearly 10.000 when Low won the toss. Cutting, incidentally, was Exeter's captain to-day no doubt because he was playing against his old club. First dangerous move came irom Norwich, and Dutton, beating Coles, went ahead, to test Singleton with a chest-high drive from the angle of the penalty area. The goalkeeper beat the

ball down and then cleared: When Exeter retaliated the persistent Ebdon was almost through, but Duke, running out, booted away almost from the toes of the oncoming forward. More pressure by the City looked full of promise and Taylor kicked hurriedly behind his own goal to avert danger The corner yielded no reward, but a minute later Duke had to go down to smother a cross-shot from Mustard. 

SINGLETON TO RESCUE

Exeter looked to be getting on top 3 when suddenly the Norwich forwards broke away. Furness was clear of everyone and looked a certain scorer until Singleton came cut, dived at his feet and smothered the ball to save. The crowd cheered his masterly effort, and renewed their applause when he fell full length to turn around an upright a close range drive from Furness,
Between these bids Exeter had launched a couple of attacks, from which Regan and Wright had each
gone close. Play continued fairly even, and there were few thrills untit Wright shot narrowly wide from well outside the penalty area-a good attempt.
Each side forced corners in turn and Norwich occasionally showed flashes of neat combination. At no time, however, had the game reached any great heights

REGAN'S SMART GOAL
Showing improvement, Exeter exposed flaws, in the visiting delence, and they took the lead 18 minutes after The movement started from Wright, who slipped a short pass to Ebdon A quick forward transfer to Regan caught the Norwich rearguard on the wrong foot, and REGAN nipping in quickly raced past a couple of opponents. Clear of the opposition, he worked to within shooting range and drove low into the far corner of the net leaving Duke powerless, Ebdon came within an ace of adding to the home side's lead when he dashed down the middle as Mustard headed a Singleton goal kick in the centre. The centre-forward and Low went for the ball together, and Ebdon stabbed out his foot and shot. Duke. however, was not caught unawares, Dropping on one knee he cleared confidently and capably.

DUKE KEPT BUSY
An even better save by the Norwich
"keeper was when he held a header from Regan at point blank range. Duke was often in action as the game became livelier, and he once came out to fist away from a bunch of players after Regan had lobbed in a cunning centre. A Norwich breakaway looked full of danger. Indeed, only a grand tackle by, Coles, who dispossessed Jones a few yards from the goalmouth, saved the situation. Outstanding in Exeter's defence, Thompson broke up many visiting raids, and then the game swung back in the home side's favour. Low and Ebdon were having entertaining duels, and honours were about even. Just before the interval Duke gathered a high shot from Regan, and then Wright brought the ball down. beat his man neatly and shot only a 100t over the bar.
Half time:
EXETER CITY 1-0 NORWICH CITY  
Resuming strongly, Norwich staged a forceful attack on the left and then gained a corner on the other wing. Exeter survived early pressure , and Ebdon led a dashing raid to the other end when he lobbed the bail over Low's head. Running into position. Wright shot as he was challenged by covering  opponents, and Duke had to dive to save at the foot of an upright.

NORWICH ESCAPE
A corner to the City preceded a
sensational Norwich excape for when
Wardle headed the ball across the
goalmouth, Duke was helpless and the keeper was nowhere, at hand, but neither was any Exeter forward and the ball bounced tantalisingly past the far post. A mistake by Coles let, Plunkett through, and the visiting winger was able to close in unchallenged. Only a brilliant save by Singleton kept Norwich, from equallsing. Exeter's goalkeeper again rendered grand service by clearing a free kick from Williams, and later intercepting a short centre from Jones, with two opposing forwards ready to accept a gift chance had he failed. Play was very much in favour of Norwich just now, and some of the home players were slowing down apppreciably. Mustard and Hanford were both injured, and Norwich continued to attack strongly without however, being able to finish off their promising approach work. A transformation came over the game in the last quarter of an hour, and Exeter, finding a new lease of life scored two goals. EBDON obtained the first when he headed through Mustard's centre, and a WRIGHT shot the next after Regan and Ebdon had created the opening.

Result
EXETER CITY 3-0 NORWICH CITY

Southern League Cup 
QUICK GOALS IN CUP-TIE
HOLMAN REPLIES FOR CITY RES.

Within ten minutes of the opening of the first Southern League Cup game between Merthyr Tydfil and Exeter City Reserves. Merthyr were one goal ahead. Following hard play on both sides, W. HULLETT leading the Merthyr attack, opened the scoring with a deflected header from Simpson. Play had by this time settled down in favour of Merthyr and after 35 minutes THOMAS added a goal for Merthyr, just after Hullett had missed a penalty awarded for hands against Long. Five minutes before the interval HOLMAN reduced the arrears for the visitors, but Merthyr were still pressing.

Half-time:
MERTHYR 2-1 EXETER CITY RESERVES 

Only one goal came in the second half, from Powell. after Gow had saved well from Raybould. Lan caster. Hydes and Vaughan tried continually for the Merthyr goal, but to little effect, as the defence of Avery, Pugh and Parsons in goal was too much for them. Holman was also active, but cohesion was lacking in the visitors' attack.

The attendance was 8,700.

Result:
MERTHYR 3-1 EXETER CITY RES.



Monday, October 14th 1946.
Southern League 
CITY RESERVES WIN A CLOSE GAME.
EBDON LEADS THE ATTACK AT MILLWALL.

MILLWALL RESERVES 2 (Ridley, Osman)
EXETER CITY RESERVES 3 (Thompson, Holman, Ebdon)
Half-time: Millwall Reserves 1 City Reserves 1.

Nothing but craft and enterprise could have beaten Millwall Reserves in today's Southern League match at New Cross. Exeter City Reserves possessed both these qualities, and that is why they beat the London team by 3 goals to 2. Ten minutes from the end the City were a goal in arrears, but helped by the skilful prompting of Fellowes they fought back gallantly and turned a game that looked to be lost into a well earned win.
It was in fact a very good game to watch. The football was fast, and on the general standard of the play Exeter were certainly superior to Millwall in team-work. One or two of the Exeter players stood out as especially resourceful. One was Hoyle and another was Long.
Fellowes and Coles were reliable half-backs. Dick Ebdon was not only a capable centre forward for the City but the most whole-hearted and energetic footballer of the two teams.

City Reserves:- Hoyle; Thompson, Long; Holcroft, Coles, Fellowes;
Holman, Lancaster, Ebdon, Vaughan, Challis.

• Bill Lambton, who was Exeter City's goalkeeper in about half of the matches last season, was yesterday transferred to Doncaster Rovers.