THE END OF A LONG SEASON.

CITY GO DOWN AT WALSALL IN FINAL MATCH.

Saturday, May 24th 1947.

WALSALL 2 (Lishman, Mullard)
EXETER CITY 1 (Challis) 
Half-time Walsall 2 City 0.

Walsall:- Lewis; Methley, Skidmore; Walters, Foulkes, Newman; Maund, Walsh, Mullard, Lishman, Wilshaw.

Exeter City: Hoyle; Thompson, Blood; Cutting, Coles, Owen; Hutchings, Sutherland, Smart, Wright, Challis.

Attendance 10,000.

Harry Sutherland of Leeds United was transferred to Exeter City on Wednesday and made his bow for the Grecians at Walsall today. His ball control was good, and he paved the way for some of the City's best attacks. He nearly scored himself in a late City revival after Challis had converted a penalty for a foul on Hutchings. Walsall's goals, scored by Lishman and Wilshaw, were both obtained before the interval.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
CITY RESERVES 5
CHELMSFORD CITY 1.

Team:- Singleton; M.Jones, T.B.Pearce; Rue, Davey, Rowe; Holman, Granville, Ebdon, Vaughan, C.Jones.

Scorers:- Ebdon 3, Vaughan, C.Jones.

• WARDLE TRANSFERRED TO CARDIFF. Cardiff City on Thursday, May 22nd, obtained the transfer of the City's star inside right, George Wardle, for a fee which is stated to be one of the highest ever received by Exeter for a player. Wardle, who was born at Durham on September 24th 1919, joined the City in 1939 from Middlesbrough and played in the three games of that season, which ended abruptly when war was declared. During the war he enlisted in the Army Physical Training Corps and made a big name for himself in football, playing regularly on the right wing for Chelsea and gaining a Cup winner's medal as well as appearing in an International trial in season 1944-45.

Southern League
Whit Monday, May 26th 1947.
HULLETT SCORED TWO AND MISSED THREE. CITY RESERVES FAIL AT MERTHYR.

MERTHYR TYDFIL 2 (Hullett 2)
EXETER CITY RESERVES 0
Half-time Merthyr 2 City 0.

Merthyr:- Reid; Avery, Pugh; Lowe, Allen, Richards; Powell, Howarth, Hullett, Raybould, Crisp.
Referee:- Mr A.Warner, of Llwynypia.
City Reserves:- Singleton; T.Pearce, Coles; Rue, Davey, S.Rowe; Holman, Granville, Owen, Vaughan, C.Jones.

Attendance 7,200.

There is no doubt that Merthyr deserved their win at Penydarren Park on Whit-Monday, but their team-work lacked sting, and Hullett, scorer of two grand goals in the first half, failed to make the best use of three further good opportunities. Play in the first half was more interesting than later on when there were several periods of scrappy midfield exchanges. Merthyr had a lucky escape in that half when Holman's header, which was just beyond the reach of Reid, struck the crossbar. After this the Martyrs piled on the pressure and a drive by Hullett at point-blank range was only held by Singleton with difficulty. Another from Hullett and one from Powell sailed over the bar.

• SCOTTISH HALF BACK FOR EXETER CITY. Harry Batholomew, a well built and experienced centre-half, has been signed by Exeter City from Motherwell, the Scottish League club. Bartholomew was born in Motherwell and is 27 years of age.
• Peter Fallon, who is a brother of the Notts County outside left, has signed professional forms for Exeter City.

THE LAST OF FOOTBALL. EBDON THE ONLY EXETER FORWARD TO SHINE.

Saturday, May 31st 1947.

GRAVESEND UNITED 4  (Butler 2, Weston, Hawkins)
EXETER CITY RESERVES 3 (Ebdon, Vaughan, Jones)
Half-time Gravesend 2 Exeter 2.
Attendance 1,000.

Exeter City Reserves, making their last appearance of the season on the Gravesend United ground at Northfleet, were beaten because of their forwards' weak attempts to overcome a stubborn home defence. This department played well after a second half reshuffle due to an injury to Pincott, their centre half. The only Exeter player to shine, and the neatest ball player on the field, was Dick Ebdon, who time and again set his line in motion by sheer determination allied to much skilful football, only to see one attack after another fade out because of lack of thrust on the part of his front line colleagues. Exeter never gave up trying in conditions that were gruelling, but the home team adapted themselves better and were worth the points. Hoyle had a busy afternoon and could not be faulted. Coles and Blood were not too sure of themselves and after Jones had opened the score for Exeter Butler and Weston got through inside eight minutes to give the lead to Gravesend. Vaughan levelled the scores, which stood at 2-2 at the interval. Hawkins and Butler scored the second half goals for the home team in the 20th and 22nd minutes, Ebdon replying 13 minutes from the end. Davey did good work in subduing the bustling home leader, Butler. In the last minute of the game Holman missed a great chance of saving a point, shooting wide of the goal from Ebdon's pass.

Team:- Hoyle; Coles, Blood; Fallon, Davey, Rowe; Holman, Granville, Ebdon, Vaughan, C.Jones.