WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4TH 1951.
EXETER CITY 0 TORQUAY UNITED 0.

LEAR STOOD BETWEEN UNITED AND VICTORY. 

Magpies Were More Constructive

TWENTY-YEARS-OLD Graham Lear, an amateur goalkeeper, who deputised for the injured Singleton in the Exeter City team, stood between Torquay United and their first away victory of the season last night. He was the man of the match in this goalless Devon "Derby" at St. James Park where the United were the speedier and more constructive side. One of Lear's saves was a classic. He lept sideways to a flashing shot from Gordon Pembery and clutched the ball just beneath the angle of his right hand up- right and crossbar. The United's attack again did well. The rapier-like thrusts of Shaw, the foraging of Pembery and the always methodical Evans were pleasing features of an aggressive display. Exeter's forwards were slow and deliberate by comparison, and the occasions upon which the compact Torquay defence were in difficulty were few indeed. Yet late in the game the City came near to snatch- ing what would have been an undeserved victory. A smash-and- grab effort by Mackay took the inside-left to within a few yards of the goal, but he sent the pass a shade too far and gave Webber the chance to advance and make a timely Interception. In the United ranks was the most accomplished footballer of all. Burly Hugh Brown at right-half was in a class above the majority of performers in this keenly-fought struggle which was noteworthy because the play changed ends so often. Brown's tackling was firm and well-timed. His intelligent distribution bore the hallmark of the complete craftsman. McGuinness, too strong for Smith, the Exeter leader, and Towers. purposeful throughout, completed a grand Torquay half-back line. The United's full-backs were dependable , and Ralph Calland stood the cracking pace as well as any player in the game. He blotted Hutchings out of the picture, and Topping did the same to McClelland, the other City winger. Webber, like his opposing number. Lear, made no mistake.

Exeter City: G. Lear; Johnstone, Rowe; Fallon, Doyle, and Davey; Hutchings, Smart, Smith, Mackay, and McClelland.

Torquay United: 

Attendance: 6924

Match Summary 

The star of Wednesday evening's 3rd Division match between Exeter City and Torquay United at St James's Park was Graham Lear, the amateur goalkeeper, who was playing his third game for the City. Not once did he drop the ball. His positioning could not be found fault with, and in fact he made the goalkeeping job look easy.