Saturday, May 5th 1951.

Exeter Short Of Stamina

Southend United 5. Exeter City 1

Exeter made a brave start on the heavy pitch but failed to stay the pace. The neat approach work of Smart and Fallon, backed by the fine defensive play of Goddard and Harrower, was baulked by an aggressive Southend defence.

Exeter were the cleverer and neater side up to half-time, when the score was 1-1, but the heavier Southend side proved the better stayers.

Exeter goalkeeper Singleton did splendidly, though he appeared to lose a little of his confidence after a pass back from his right back, Derek Warren resulted in Southend taking the lead. The pass was neat and gentle, but Singleton just flopped in a mud patch and the ball eluded his fingers. Fallon scored for Exeter.

Southend were well on top in the second half when Cyril Grant, Les Stubbs (twice), and Jack French scored. Harrower missed a penalty after Fallon had been brought down. The ball left a cake of mud on the crossbar before rebounding into play.

Attendance: 10850

SOUTHEND UNITED 5 (Warren own goal, Grant, Stubbs 2, French)
EXETER CITY 1 (Fallon).

Exeter City:- Singleton; Warren, Rowe; Harrower, Goddard, Davey; Hutchings, Fallon, Smart, Mackay, McClelland.