Saturday, December 26th 1953.

EXETER CITY 1-3 ALDERSHOT
League 3rd Division South.

St James's Park, Exeter.


Seldom have chances been seen to be squandered with such regularity as City did during the first half. Mitchell, Knight and Murphy were all guilty of missing when the target should have been hit. Bad finishing was City's biggest fault, the second was mistaken tactics, Why most men in the Exeter ranks presistently employed delayed short and rolling passes on a muddy pitch passes the comprehension of most people, These methods were futile and inevitably brought disaster. A sensational start by Aldershot absolutely stunned the City team and its supporters, McCulloch scored after just two minutes following Singleton's partial save from Hobbs's point blank cross shot and the alert centre forward dashed in to drive low into the net. Two minutes later an ill considered pass back made Menzies a Xmas gift of his chance and the City keeper was powerless to stop his close shot. It was a disasterous beginning without parallel at St James's Park for many years and one from which the City failed to recover despite severe pressure in the first half which was to no avail because of a catologue of missed opportunities, which amounted to unbelievable proportions, McClelland gave City some hope with a second half goal, but McCulloch restored Aldershot's winning margin,

Goals:-
McClelland for Exeter 
McCulloch 2, Menzies for Aldershot.

Half-time:- Exeter City 0 Aldershot 2.

CITY
Singleton; Walton, Rowe; McLean, Davey, Dodgin; Priestley, Knight, Mitchell, Murphy, McClelland.

ALDERSHOT
Brown; Jefferson, Wood; Alison, Billington, Durkin; Hobbs, Menzies, McCulloch, Flint, Gaynor.

Attendance 8,892.

Referee:- Mr C.Curtis of Paulton.
Linesmen:
Messrs G.H.Porter and H. N.Lye.

SPORTS EDITOR'S BOUQUET FOR
Aldershot

ALDERSHOT travelled to Exeter with heavy hearts. They had lost 1-2 at home to City on Christmas Day, then they failed to sign two Bolton defenders, Ralph Banks and Matt McIlwaine. Not the ingredients for a happy holiday. But Boxing Day was Aldershot's day. They beat Exeter 3-1, their first victory since September 30-a victory that earns for them the Sports Editor's bouquet. Sports Argus 


Southern League.

Weymouth 2 City Reserves 2
at Weymouth.



MONDAY 28th DECEMBER 1953. FRIENDLY. (Played at Tothill Park,)

PLYMOUTH CITY 2,
EXETER CITY RESERVES 4
Singleton; Storey, Douglass; King, Goddard, Dodgin; Setters, Tremble, Cook, Mackay, Parker,

Scorers
Exeter City:- Tremble 2, Cook 2.