NORWICH STRENGTH IS MIDDLE LINE

EXETER 0-2 NORWICH

NORWICH CITY'S sixth victory in a row took them to the head of the table. Why are they there? Well,it is a Soccer maxim that the strength of a team can be judged by its half-back line. and on that reckoning Norwich will take some beating in this season's promotion battle. The middle line of Pickwick, Holmes and Ashman were always masters of the Exeter attack. Exeter's new centre-forward. Donaldson, once a £17,000 Middlesbrough man, made his first appearance on the home ground, but he had a quiet game, thanks to Holmes, the sheet anchor of a strong Norwich defence. Norwich have a dashing leader in Ackerman, who scored both of his side's goals. The first came in the 34th minute after good work by Adams on the right and a perfect centre which found Ackerman unmarked and able to shoot in at point-blank range. Exeter's forwards made whole hearted efforts in the first half and had a good share of the game at this stage. But they lacked the craft necessary to outwit this Norwich defence.

After the interval much of the life went out of the Exeter side. Norwich continued to play well within themselves and made certain of victory when Ackerman got his second goal eight minutes from time.

Report from:-
THE PEOPLE 20th August 1954

CITY
Kelly; Walton, Doyle; Booth, Davey, Dodgin; Mitchell, Mackay, Donaldson, Murphy, McClelland.

NORWICH
Nethercott; Morgan, Lewis; Pickwick, Holmes, Ashman; Adams, Brennan, Ackerman, Summers, Collins.

Referee:- Mr R.Hall of Harrow.

Attendance: 11412
Receipts: £1031.10s. 0d. 

2nd Report by Nomad 
CITY ATTACK HAD NO PUNCH.

These shot shy Exeter City forwards must realise that their failings are the chief cause of the team's rapid slide towards the bottom of the Third DivisionIn six hours of football their combined efforts have brought one goal at home. The reason being that City forwards lack the devil within shooting range. It lacks sufficient strength, height and weight in placesPositional play is far from good,. Once Norwich took the lead in the 30th minute through Ackerman, the initial Exeter flourish became less and less effectiveThere was another brief rally at the start of the second half, but long before the finishthe classier, faster and stronger Norwich team were in no danger. They scored agan eight minutes from time and once more it was Ackerman who shot past the powerless Kelly. Passing back or passing the buck will pay no dividendsForward should be the watchwordPositive football should replace the negative blend of soccer which is currently an irritating feature of City's performances

Southern League.


at Northfleet.

GRAVESEND 2,
EXETER CITY RESERVES 4;
Douglass Rowe; King, Harvey, McLean; Priestley, Knight, Dailey, Samuels, Parker,
Scorers
Exeter City Knight, Dailey, Samuels, Parker,