READING v EXETER CITY.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17TH 1951.

The turning point of the game at Elm Park came midway through the second half. Exeter City, leading by two goals to one, had a good chance of scoring again, but Smith's shot hit the crossbar, and the rebound was cleared. Within a few minutes Reading had struck back and levelled the scores. Two more goals were scored by them in the last quarter of an hour, and Reading were well on their way to victory.
READING 4
(Henley, Blackman 2, Bainbridge)
EXETER CITY 2 
(Short, Regan)
Attendance: 15695

The home side deserved to win. Stronger and heavier, Reading were the more forceful side on a heavy playing pitch which imposed a greater handicap on the smaller and lighter City team. The state of the ground would have beaten the best of teams. The well balanced and workmanlike Reading eleven made a better attempt to overcome the conditions than did a City team which lost its effectiveness because of the tendency by some players to fiddle in possession. None but a supreme optimist would have expected a classic match. Nor did the game touch the heights of academic craft. It was, all the same, a hard fought and entertaining spectacle, and the City battled with greater resolution than was shown in their last two home matches.
Reading:- McBride; Moyse, Wicks; McLean, Brice, Johnston; Simpson, Edelston, Blackman, Henley, Bainbridge.
Referee:- Mr W.J.Edwards of Yeovil.
Exeter City: Singleton; Warren, Clark; Harrower, Goddard, Davey; Short, Smyth, Smith, Mackay, Regan.

Southern League
CITY RESERVES v KETTERING.

Kettering's three recent away wins in a row record came to a halt

at St James's Park, where Exeter City Reserves beat them by four goals to one. McClelland, Dare 2, and Dunlop scored for the City, Puplett for Kettering. Attendance 2,896, receipts £81. ls.Od. City team:- Salter; Johnstone, Powell; Doyle, Carter, Fallon;

McClelland, Smart, Dare, Dunlop, Digby.