SECOND ROUND OF THE F. A. CUP.

EXETER HAD TO FIGHT HARD.

Saturday, December 10th 1949.

Between the goals which Regan scored five minutes after the start and two minutes from the finish, Exeter City had to struggle very hard for victory over Chester in a cup-tie which was drab and dull and lacked all the usual thrills associated with this competition.

EXETER CITY 2 (Regan 2)
CHESTER 0

Half-time City 1 Chester 0.
Attendance 11,000.

City: Hoyle; Johnstone, Rowe; Doyle, Davey, Greenwood; Harrower, Smart, Smith, McClelland, Regan.
Referee:- Mr A.E.Baugham, of Hereford.  Chester:- Elliot; Molyneux, McNeil; Astbury, Hindle, Lee; Foulkes, Davies, Jackson, Burgess, Pearson.

In a contest which was marred by numerous free kicks for fouls there were several injuries, but the only serious casualty was the result of an accident.
Elliot was the victim, and he was kicked on the head when he dived at Regan's feet as the City winger was in the fact of shooting. Although the goalkeeper resumed he collapsed a few minutes later, suffering from concussion, and was carried off the field. One man's misfortune, however, was another's opportunity. Pearson, who donned the goalkeeper's jersey, played one of the greatest games of his career in an unaccustomed position. He never faltered, and a save he made from McClelland in the second half would have done credit to Frank Swift himself. McClelland packed everything he had behind that drive, from 15 yards. Pearson made an acrobatic leap, and was almost knocked backwards into the net as he fisted the ball out. Regan's first goal was a well-timed shot into the bottom corner of the net and the result of a move instigated by McClelland. His second was a penalty, awarded against Hindle for fouling Smith.

From the Chester Football History Website. 

Match Report 2 

Southern League
BATH CITY 4 (Kelly, Mills 3)
CITY RESERVES 0.

Report from the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette 

Forwards At Their Best

Mills Plays Big Part In City Win

Bath City 4-0 Exeter City 

Bail City gained a most convincing win at Twerton Park on Saturday when they defeated Exeter City Reserves, and, incidentally, recorded their highest score so far this season in a Southern League game.

On the run of play, the City fully deserved their victory. The out- standing feature of the game was the improved display of the for- ward line, and the player largely responsible for the welcome change was Norman Mills. Apart from scoring three good goals, he played a hard game throughout. He was always chasing "loose" balls, and gave his colleagues in the front line some glorious opportunities.

At the start the crowd was very poor, and late-comers missed seeing the City take an early lead for, in the second minute KELLY scored an opportunist goal. No doubt the early kick-off was the cause of the meagre crowd, offici- ally given as 2,100.

The City scored a further goal close on nalf-time. In fact, it was so near the interval when MILLS scored that the referee blew for half time immediately the ball was in the net

In the second half Exete im- proved, and they had more of the play. The City, however, never appeared in any danger of losing their grip on the game. From the scoring of the first goal they never "let up," and remained on top for the majority of the time.

MILLS crowned a good after- noon's work by scoring two further goals to complete his "hat-trick." The first of these came when he cleverly beat an defender and, from close in, took a first-time shot on the turn, placing the ball perfectly into a corner of the net. Snook played a big part in the making of the City's fourth goal, when he cleverly rounded Clarke and Carter, and pushed through a perfect pass to MILLS, who left Warren well behind, and scored with a good shot which gave Singleton no chance.

It was definitely Mills' match, and he had a good opportunity of scoring a further goal, but seeing McManus better placed, allowed the ball to travel on, and the City winger missed badly.

The play of the City's forwards, on the other hand, showed method and cohesion. Snook had a good game on the right wing, and, along with Mason, who, like Snook, was promoted from played quite well. the Reserves, 

Mason at times, was inclined to hang on to the ball too long, but considering it was his first game for the Southern League side. he showed promise. Kelly revealed some good touches as leader of the line. In the halves, Gale stood out for some sterling work, while, of the wing halves. Onslow was the pick of the team. 

Exeter Team:- Singleton; Warren, Clark; Fallon, Carter, Squires; Greenaway, Digby, Rew, Hutchings, Murphy.