Saturday, October 18th 1947.

ALDERSHOT 0 EXETER CITY 0.

League 3rd Division South, on the Recreation, Aldershot.
Attendance 8,000.

Aldershot:- Reynolds; Smith, Sheppard; Scott, Rowland, Fitzgerald; Hassell, Mycock, Hood, McNicol, Dryburgh.
Referee:- Mr W.J.Edwards, of Yeovil.
City: Singleton; Thompson, Johnstone; Bartholomew, Gibson, Evans; Hutchings, Mackay, Ebdon, Wright, W. Fallon.

By far the best football of this goalless draw came from Exeter in the first half hour. The City had method, skill, and pace during the opening spell, and the beating of Aldershot at all points. An early goal at that stage would have made all the difference. But Exeter were unable to land a decisive blow. Many good attempts came to nought until suddenly the sparkle went out of their play. Instead of going to meet the ball on this spacious pitch the City lapsed into their early season ways. They stood back and waited for the ball to bounce instead of going in first time, and in doing so they failed to succeed against a team which took heart and fought back strongly. The best scoring attempt by Exeter came in the early period referred to when Fallon's lightning shot was tipped over the bar by Reynolds for an unproductive corner. Mackay dribbled his way into the penalty area late in the game but then spoiled it all by shooting straight at the goalkeeper.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE

City Reserves 2 (Grant, Goddard)
Merthyr Tydfil 0.

Reserves Beat Merthyr

The fact that Exeter City Reserves won by 2-0 was the most pleasing feature of their Southern League game with Merthyr Town, writes "P.G.D." Their display, like that of their rivals, was marred by obsession with close-passing tactics. The goal were scored by Grant, who netted in the first half with a 15 yards' drive which swerved past Sellick, and R. Goddard, an Axminster product, making his debut on the City's left-wing. Goddard's goal resulted from an oblique shot after Granville had centred five minutes from the end.

Exeter's defence was sound, with Jeffreys, who is on trial from Aberdeen, showing useful touches at left- half. But the forwards, on the opportunities they enjoyed, should have scored more goals. Intent on producing pretty football, they neglected to finish their movements.

Team:- Hoyle; Coles, S.Rowe; P.Fallon, Davey, Jeffrey; Granville, Grant, Smart, Vaughan, R. Goddard.

• Exeter City have signed on two more players. They are Robert Jeffrey, a wing half-back from Aberdeen and R.Goddard, an outside left, from Axminster.