Norwich City 2-0 ECFC

Attendance: 18681

SUPERB IN MIDFIELD BUT NO PUNCH.

WHY EXETER CITY LOST AT NORWICH.

Wednesday, September 17th 1952.

NORWICH CITY (Rattray, Johnston) 2 EXETER CITY 0.
Half-time 0 - 0.

Attendance 17,000.

Two opportunist goals in the second half beat Exeter City at Norwich on Wednesday evening, but on the run of the play they had to complain. no cause

Norwich City:- Nethercott; Duffy, Lewis; Dutton, Holmes, Ashman;
Gavin, Kinsey, Johnston, Rattray, Summers.

Exeter City:- Kelly; Anderson, Rowe; Booth, Goddard, Davey; Mitchell, Knight, Dailey, Murphy, Regan.

The Grecians in midfield were often superb and they had the Norwich defence, weakened by injuries, puzzled and on the run, but Dailey and his inside men completely lacked punch anywhere near goal.

It was this failure which prevented Exeter from getting an equaliser soon after Norwich had scored their first goal, and finally ended any chance of them gaining a point.

Norwich, who dominated the first half, were more forceful in attack, and won deservedly to avenge last week's defeat at St James's Park. Neither team showed promotion form, however, on a pitch that was made slippery by rain.

Norwich, non-stop bustlers, who relied mainly on speed and much hefty kicking to the detriment of skill, repeatedly banged the ball down the field to Johnston. But Goddard gave his usual dogged display at centre half, and for most of the match commanded the middle. Exeter often looked like being over-run in the early play but the home side's finishing was poor and Kelly had very few shots. Considering the unpleasant conditions, with heavy rain before the game and showers during it, the big crowd was a testimonial to the undoubted popularity of Norwich City in this part of East Anglia. The Norwich defence has not conceded a goal at home this season, and Exeter rarely looked like breaking that particular record.

Player released 

Armstrong, the outside-left on trial from Durham County, is not being retained by Exeter City.