ECFC v Watford (D 3-3)
Scorers: Eggleston (og), Fallon 2 Attendance: 7252


CITY (3-3) MISSED MANY
Morton Watford's Hero At Park

By NOMAD

BITTERLY cold weather had its effect on the attendance at St James Park this afternoon and the crowd for the City and Watford match looked to be the smallest of the season. There were no late changes in either team, and the City, therefore, fielded the eleven which defeated Swindon in the F.A. Cup second round-tie a fortnight ago. Leading the Watford attack was Norman Case, whose transfer from Sunderland was completed just before jast Saturday's match with Southend. Line-up:
City: Singleton: Clark, Rowe; Harrower, Doyle, Davey; McClelland, Fallon, Smith, Mackay, Regan.
Watford: Morton; Eggleston, Jones; Paton, Oliver, Fisher; Laing, Brown, Case, Varty, Hartburn.
Referee: W. Edwards, Yeovil.

The game began nearly ten minutes early and the City were instantly on the attack.
Morton "Got In"
A centre from the left was taken by the goalkeeper, but he lost possession when tackled by Smith. Both players fell and in the skirmish Smith got the ball, worked out to the left and centred.
Fallon and McClelland were racing in for the "kill," but Morton made a great recovery and deflected the ball to safety. It was nearly all Exeter in the opening minutes, and lobs into the goalmouth, first from Davey and then Magkay, kept the visiting defence extended. Just as it appeared as if the City were geting on top, however, there came & rude shock. Seven minutes after the start, Watford broke away and scored a simple and unexpected goal. A low cross from the right was met by the unmarked VARTY and his slow shot passed underneath Singleton as the goalkeeper fell full length. Persistent City raids were un rewarded, and the nearest thing to an equalising goal was a low bumping shot from Mackay, which missed by a foot.
Charmed Goal
Other attacks petered out tamely and it was Watford who looked the more dangerous side, especially in one swift-moving wing-to-wing advance. A neat triangular movement between Paton, Laing and Brown had the City's defence baffled and when Laing's long centre went to Hartburn, a second goal looked imminent. Hartburn's header, a strong effort, was grandly gathered by Singleton just beneath the crossbar. From this narrow escape, the City made a speedy recovery and the Watford goal bore a charmed life in the next exiting-phase. Working in close, McClelland drove into the goalmouth, and Morton made a partial one-handed diversion. The hall came to Regan, but the winger's first-time shot from a few yards range sailed over a gaping net, Smith, an enterprising centre forward. suffered cruel luck with a grand attempt to drive home a McClelland centre,
And Own Net!
His shot looked a winner all the way until Morton leapt horizontally to fist away A great shot, but an even better save, the city's intense pressure brought the inevitable reward at the end of 20 minutes, and, though the equalising goal was fortunate, it was no more than deserved on the run of play Harrower lobbed the ball into the penalty area, and EGGELSTON harassed by Smith, kleked high into his own net as he attempted to pa back to his goalkeeper. Stern tackling by Rowe and Doyle held Watford's attack in checkt, and then the City raided almost non stop Thrilling exchanges looked like producing a goal at any minute, and should have done when Fallon, given a clear route as Jones slipped, hesitated  and shot weakly behind. Morton was Watford's hero. Some of his clearances were masterly and he never faltered when called on to deal with crosses from the City wingers. Just before the interval the Watford goal underwent its most amazing of several escapes. Mackay picked up a loose ball 40 yards out and was left with no one to beat except Morton. With the defence wide open, the City Inside left ran to within shooting range, out came Morton to tackle Mackay, and the ball ran loose as both players fell headlong. Amid intense excitement Smith dashed forward and shot, but the ball was again blocked,this time by Eggleston , who had doubled back
Half-time
EXETER CITY 1-1 WATFORD
The first half had produced prolonged duels between the City attack and Watford and all against the run of play Watford broke through and regained the lead ten minutes after the restart. Hartburn got the better of Clark and his centre was cleverly headed info the net by VARTY. More missed apportunities by the followed and Smith, put through by Mackay, delayed until, challenged by three opponents, he drove past the advancing Morton and wide of the far post. The exchanges continued to be overwhelmingly in the City's favour, but Watford had their moments, and it took all that Doyle had to rob Laing as the winger looked to be right through. The sharpshooting Hartburn was bang on the target with a fierce drive, which Singleton turned over the crossbar for a fruitless corner.
Hartburn Goes Near
A second Hartburn shot missed by a fraction. City's wingers changed places and McClelland, on the left now, ran inside the full-back and shot. Once more Morton was there. In a daring dive he saved magnifcently at the expense of a corner. Davey was a stalwart half-back and the mainspring behind many of the City's attack.
The City strove vallantly for an equalising goal, and hopes ran high when McClelland dribbled through and passed to Mackay. The inside left, however, hung on too long and was robbed.
Terrific
Away went Watford, who passing obliquely to Hartburn, shot low into the near corner for Watford's third goal. Two down and eight minutes to go Exeter seemed in a hopeless position. The game, however, underwent an amazing transformation. and the home side saved a point in an amazing rally.  Four minutes remained when McClelland centred for FALLON to head past Morton and reduce the arrears. In practically the last movement of the match Smith went out to the left wing and centred. Again it was FALLON who was lying in wait to head the equaliser.
Result:
EXETER CITY 3-3 WATFORD
COMMENTS
In one of the most thrilling finishes seen on the ground for many years, the City fought back, and, scoring twice in the last four minutes, saved a point.
The first half was a series of missed opportunities by the City, who, on the run of play in this period, should have made the game safe. The forwards, however, were irresolute in front of goal, and on those occasions when their shots were on the target Morton, a magnificent Watford goalkeeper, was there to bar the way. Exeter's defence lacked its usual steadiness, notably at full-back, where Clark was often beaten by Hartburn, the former Yeovil winger. Doyle, although playing deep, was a useful stopper, but the best of the City half-backs was Davey, if only because he realised the value of the first-time pass. Smith was a hard-working leader of an Exeter attack which, although clever in approach. lacked the necessary fire at close quarters. The man of the match was Morton, the Watford goalkeeper.

Attendance, 7.252, receipts, £491 25s 9d.

Southern League 
CHELTENHAM BEAT
CITY RESERVES 4-1

Exeter City Reserves, who were dangerous early, at Cheltenham this afternoon, failed to counter tricky forward play from their opponents, and were one goal down after twenty minutes. The home lead came after the whistle had blown for a goal by Mills. This was disallowed following con sultation between the referee and the linesmen. A minute later, maintaining pres sure. Cheltenham were one up, when the ball went in off. It was a very harassed Exeter team who tried their utmost to withstand constant Cheltenham pressure. Noth ing Warren. Powell or Carter could do could stop the home forwards once they were on the move; while well as Salter played in goal he could not face up to the sharp shoot ing tactics against him.
Cheltenham went further ahead when MILLS scored from a pass from Dean. ALDRED headed in a third, and just before the interval MILLS added a fourth. Half-time:
CHELTENHAM 4-0  EXETER CITY RES
Exeter had more of the game in the second half, the defence refusing to
be drawn as it was in the earlier stages. Ten minutes after the interval the Reserves should have reduced their opponents lead when Coltman failed to clear from a free kick, but an attacking forward missed with an easy shot.
Result:
CHELTENHAM 4-1 EXETER CITY RES