ECFC 1-0 Coventry City
Scorers: McClelland
Attendance: 5785

CITY

League 3rd Division South.

St. James's Park, Exeter, attendance 5,785.

Wednesday, April 22nd 1953.

EXETER CITY 1
McClelland.
COVENTRY CITY 0

Half-time Exeter 1 Coventry 0.

Wednesday 22nd April 1953.

CITY WIN GAME AND LEAGUE SAFETY.

Attendance 5,785. Receipts £449. 8s.

What ever happens between now and the and of the season, Exeter City are in the clear, their re-election worries ended with a solitary goal victory in a keenly fought encounter which at times contained all the tensity associated with the grimmest of cup ties. Five minutes had ticked by when McClelland scored the vital goal, after a move between Dailey and Murphy, he half volleyed a drive into the net. It was a new look Exeter attack that assaulted the Coventry goal in those thrilling early stages. The 2nd which could have been the fore runner of more did not come. The fury of Exeters onslaughts lessened and the Coventry attack took over. Cut and thrust exchanges were the order up until half time. The ebb and flow of the struggle continued in the 2nd half as did its fast tempo, Knight slammed a high shot into the net only to be penalised for an infringement. Meanwhile the Coventry forwards were often advancing in classy co-ordinated attacks but they could not pierce the City rearguard. Every man in the Exeter team was an earnest performer in this successful bid for safety. The side was more like its pre Christmas self with Knight taking the honours in attack, and Wood, Doyle and Singleton in defence.

CITY 
Singleton;
Walton, Doyle;
Fallon, Wood, Davey;
Mitchell, Knight, Dailey, Murphy, McClelland.

COVENTRY
Matthews;
Timmins, Mason;
Harvey, McDonnell, Simpson;
Nutt, Dorman, Thomas, P.Hill, J.Hill.

Referee:- Mr G.W.Pullin of Bristol. Linesmen: Messrs C.G.Porter and W.H.Davey.

Thursday 23rd April 1953.

NORMAN DODGIN IS NEW CITY MANAGER.

Exeter Citys new Manager was named today. He is Norman Dodgin from Northampton and a younger brother of the Fulham boss Bill Dodgin. A Lefthalf back Dodgin has captained Northamptons 3rd Division side this season. As an amateur he cost Newcastle United nothing when signing for that club in 1940. He was transferred to Reading in the close season of 1950 and on to Northampton in 1951. He will join Exeter City as Manager when his present contract at Northampton Town runs out at the end of this season.