BOXING DAY,

MONDAY, DECEMBER 26TH 1949.

Though the City were on top for long periods at St James's Park, on Monday, the honours were with a magnificent Southend United defence, in which Hankey and Loughran were outstanding.
Smart scored for Exeter and Davies equalised, both goals coming in the first half. Clark played his best game of the season for Exeter, while Goddard and Fallon were good half-backs and Harrower the best forward. Luck was against the City when Smart had a goal disallowed, offside being the reason, and when Hankey made a thousand-to-one save from a ferocious point-blank shot by Regan.

Exeter City: Hoyle; Johnstone, Clark; Fallon, Goddard, Powell; Harrower, Smart, Smith, Greenwood, Regan.
Southend:- Hankey; Loughran, Walton; Wallbanks, Sheard, French; Jones, McAlinden, Wakefield, Morris, Davies.
Referee:- Mr R.J.Burgess, of Reading.

Attendance 14,105,
Reciepts  £1,025.3s.0d. 

Match report 2 

Goddard, Clark Defend Well For Exeter

Hard Knocks In Southend Game 

Southend 1, Exeter 0

THERE were not many of the finer points of football in this game yesterday, but right through it was full of hard knocks and exciting moments for a 20,000 crowd. Morris's goal which gave Southend the points followed a left-wing corner in 55 minutes, and from then on they several times nearly increased their lead. Exeter certainly had hard luck before the interval. Once after dealing with a Harrower shot, Hankey was caught out of goal Smith shot at the empty net, but hit the foot of a post and the "keeper got back in time to pick up the rebound and clear. Again Smith missed by inches, Fast, open raids brought opportunities to Exeter, Regan on the left Was Exeter's most dangerous raider, and he often tested Hankey.

Exeter fought very hard towards the end, and Hankey had to bring out all he knew when Smith got In a great drive Harrower also tested him with a fine cross-shot. Exeter's defence, with Goddard playing a hard and successful part, covered their goal well. Clark in particular, stood out. Twice on the goal line be saved "certain" goals.

McAlanden was Southend's schemer and Wakefield a dangerous leader, but neither side ever got moving smoothly.

Season's biggest crowd at Exeter on Monday

Exeter City's match against South- end on Boxing Day attracted the season's biggest crowd to St. James" Park. Hundreds of late comers were unable to gain admission although the crowd capacity is larger than the 14.165 spectators officially returned. Exeter, for whom Goddard and Clark were outstanding defenders. were unlucky in having to divide the pointe. In addition to a goal by Smart they had two disallowed. Davies scored for Southend