Saturday, October 23rd 1948.

EXETER CITY 1 (Regan)

READING 2 (Edelston 2)

Half-time City 0 Reading 1.
Attendance 10,534, receipts £761. 17s.

In the thirty years that professional football has been played at St James's Park there can have been few less interesting matches than the one this afternoon between the City and Reading. Both teams were woefully deficient in craft and thrust and the one and only polished attacker was Ronnie Dix, who started his career with Bristol Rovers in 1928. Though age had taken the edge from his speed, and despite a lack of stamina to last through a gruelling 90 minutes, Dix remained a very astute schemer. The old ability to split the defence with a prompt and accurately made pass was there today in full degree.

EXETER CITY
Hoyle
Johnstone Rowe
Bartholomew Walker Evans
Dymond Smith Johnston Mackay Regan

Referee:- Mr W.J.Edwards, of Yeovil. Linesmen:- Messrs F.Toms and W.E.Keel.

W.G.Amor Dix McPhee Edelston Fisher
Henley Brice Reeve
Gulliver Gaunt
Marks
READING

Dix gave Edelston the opening goal when Exeter were battling a man short in the temporary absence of Bartholomew, who twisted a knee, and was a limping passenger for most of the game. Regan equalised for the City midway through the second half from a pass by Bartholomew, now on the right wing, and Edelston scored the winning goal for Reading with the end of the match in sight.

Southern League
GRAVESEND 2
EXETER CITY RESERVES 0.

Gravesend beat Exeter but didn't shine.
They improved their position in the Southern League by defeating Exeter City 2-0 at Northfleet in a poor game.

Spectators Left Early

THE sun shone quite a bit during Gravesend and Northfleet's match with Exeter City, but the players seldom did. It was the dullest game seen at Stonebridge Road this season (writes "Stonebridge"). and neither side had any ideas. The crowd started meiting away long before the match was over.

Gravesend defenders kept a tight check on the Exeter attack and tried hard to get their own front line going, but slowness in seizing opportunities and bad passing were faults to which all the forwards were prone. This was a pity because the Exeter defence never looked reliable under pressure. Indeed, the players seemed so lacking in confidence that they were continually passing back to Singleton in goal, often when there was no reason to do so. Both Gravesend's goals through HAWKINS in the first half and DEEVEY midway through second-were simple affairs. the

About 3,800 saw the game.

Exeter Team:- Singleton; Warren, Clark; Fallon, Davey, Coles; Hutchings, Harrower, Powell, Grant, Jeffery.