CITY OPEN THE SEASON WITH A DRAW TWO- ALL.

MURPHY IS A SCHEMER AND A GOAL-SCORER.

Saturday, August 23rd 1952.

EXETER CITY (Murphy, Regan) QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS (Smith 2)

Half-time 1-1.

City:- Kelly; Walton, Kirkman; Booth, Goddard, Fallon; Digby, Mackay, Dailey, E.Murphy, Regan.

Rangers:- Brown; Poppitt, Ingham; Gilberg, Spence, Clayton; Waugh, Smith, Addinall, Stewart, Shepherd.

Referee:- Mr G.P.J.Sawyer of Weston-super-Mare.

The "Soccer" season began in the traditional heat-wave but this did not deter the crowd turning up in force, and the attendance numbered nearly 14,000 when the teams came out. From a movement initiated by Booth the Rangers defence was in a tangle as the ball was passed and re-passed with speed and accuracy. From Booth it went to Digby, then to Dailey, Murphy, Regan, and to Murphy again. At the angle of the penalty area Exeter's new inside left shot with unerring accuracy and terrific force into the top of the net. The game was then eight minutes old. After 23 minutes Smith levelled the scores direct from a free-kick. Eddie Murphy, who in this match proved the equal at least of Mackay in the matter of scheming, was at times too clever for his colleagues, but it was he who set up the chance for Regan to score from 25 yards' range fifteen minutes from the end. Exeter looked certain of starting the season with a victory until the last minute, when Smith broke away and steered the ball past Kelly at close range.

ECFC 2-2 Queen's Park Rangers

Scorers: Murphy, Regan
Attendance: 15078

SOUTHERN LEAGUE.

Exeter City Reserves could make little impression against a strong defence at Dartford, who would have won had their forwards accepted numerous easy chances which came their way. Five minutes from the end when Exeter were awarded a penalty it was wasted, McClelland shooting wide from the spot.

Result:
Dartford 0 City Reserves 0.

Team: Singleton; Anderson, Rowe; Armes, Doyle, Davey; Mitchell, Knight, Howells, F.Murphy, McClelland.