MERITED WIN, BUT CITY UNLUCKY IN PENALTY CLAIM

By LIONEL WOTTON (Nomad)
ECFC 1-2 Torquay United 
Scorers: Knight
Attendance: 15518
AGAINST Torquay United at St. James's Park this afternoon, Exeter City retained the team which routed Crystal Palace by seven goals to nothing-and led at the interval by 1-0.

United made changes in defence and attack. Left-back Harry Smith, who has just completed his National Service training, was out with a groin injury suffered in an R.A.F. inter-command game this week. His deputy was Jimmy Drinkwater, a regular first team choice until losing place his through injury early in November. The rearguard alteration was not expected to weaken the Torquay side.

Supporters of the United welcomed the return of Harold Dobbie at centre-forward. He had to miss last week's match at Millwall because of a damaged ankle, and his come-back enabled Torquay to revert to their strongest attacking formation, with Sammy Collins reverting to ínside right and Bill Thomas dropping out.

The line-up

City:
Kelly: Walton, Douglass; McLean, Davey, Goddard; Priestley, Knight, Donaldson, Mackay, McClelland.

Torquay:
Hayes; Parfitt, Drinkwater: Lewis, Webber, Norman; Shaw. Collins. Dobbie, Mills, Bond.

Referee: B. M. Griffiths, Newport.

Early thrills

Goddard won the toss. and Torquay, facing the sun, kicked off. And almost scored in the first minute.  It was the thrusting Shaw who gave City supporters the fright. He beat Douglass and Davey and cut in swiftly, with the home defence spread.

A low, fast cross added to the City's worries, and Bond must have scored had he connected with the ball as it flashed past the far post. Although McLean got the City out of trouble, relief was only momentary.

Back came the United with attacks that were fraught with the utmost danger and and again Shaw outpaced Douglass centred across the goalmouth. 

To repel a third Torquay raid, Kelly had to leave his charge and gather the ball almost from the feet of the onrushing Dobbie. 

They were slow. and too many passes were going astray. Dashing tackles by Douglass and good interception by Goddard and Davey held Torquay in chack until the elusive Shaw dribbled 20 yards and more to force the first corner of the game. From this flag kick Collins headed wide. A second Torquay corner was placed behind by Bond.

City ahead

An intelligent pass back by Douglass caused the game to take an unexpected turn, and the City were in the lead in the 14th minute. From the left-back the ball went to Kelly, and from the goalkeeper out to Priestley. The winger brought it under control, beat Drinkwater, passed to McClelland, and a quick and return went to KNIGHT, who shot as he was challenged and crashed the ball into the far corner of the net from 15 yards' range.

A good goal, but Exeter were flattered to be in the lead. Cut and thrust exchanges thrilled the near capacity crowd. as each goal was assailed in rapid succession. Exeter had a chance of increasing their lead when Donaldson put Mackay through, but the inside-left stubbed the ball into Hayes's hands.

Then came two Torquay attacks, and almost an equalising goal, as Collins shot inches wide, and then Kelly went full-length to save from Dobbie. A perfect pass from Mills found the waiting Shaw, who this time drove into the side netting from a narrow angle

Tighter grip

The City began to take a tighter grip on the game after this, and Mc Clelland's cross shot looked to be beating Hayes until the ball bumped, slowed down, and swerved. The and clear ceper was able to recover but was under fire again, as the City returned to the attack to force a fruitless corner. Good inter-passing gained Exeter a favourable opening, to no avail, because Mackay's shot sailed over the crossbar.

Brilliant footwork by Goddard extricated the City from a desperate situation. He beat two oppo nents in a small space before clearing in grand style.

A shot from Knight went a foot wide of the far post. Exeter had their anxious moment when Walton's header went over his own crossbar. Shaw, hurt and limping, left the field for treatment, and during his temporary absence Mills tested Kelly with a left-footed 30-yard shot. At full strength, the United attacked again, and Davey was prominent with good interceptions.

Half-time:
CITY 1-0 TORQUAY


Exeter had not shown the rhythm and power of last week, The quick tackling Torquay team were a far different proposition from the slow moving Palace. It had been a keenly conttested first half, unspoiled by irritating City infringements. a trifle were a and the fortunate ahead on the balance Still, it of to be is goals that count, and Knight's effort was a gem. When the game restarted, Eric Webber switched his wingers, and had a word with young Bond, who had shown promising touches in the first half.

Long kicking by the Torquay backs was ineffective, and an Exeter attack was foiled when Drinkwater intercepted Mackay's pass.

Too long

City's forwards were taking too long, and the more menacing work came from the United, who forced a corner on the right. Bond placed the kick accurately and was prominent in other raids which extended the City defence. Once the home side through Walton's dramatic survived inter the vention and clearance from goal line.

Davey did not stand on ceremony when Mills tried to find Dobbie with a pass down the middle. The centre half-back went in first time and relieved pressure with a lusty kick to touch.

Exeter's left wing was not shining today, but Mackay, who had tem porarily gone to outside-right, was responsible for one great effort. He dribbled audaciously past Drink water, and Hayes had to advance to make a last second interception.

Deserved reward Hitting back instantly, Torquay forced a corner when a shot from Collins was deflected over the crossbar. The first flag kick was turned over by Kelly, and the second brought Torquay an equalising goal they fully deserved.

The ball was accurately placed and in the skirmish which followed NORMAN shot low through a batch of colleagues.

Donaldson's headed flick put McClelland through, and there were appeals for a penalty when the winger was tackled by Parfitt, who had moved across. Mr. Griffiths shook his head. 

Feeling crept into the game now and there were several incidents at this stage.

Exeter had another penalty claim turned down, and this time wrongly, min my opinion. Again McClelland was the victim. He had run into an open space and was in possesion of Donaldson's long pass when he was tripped from behind, five yards from the post. Again Mr. Griffiths said No." and all Exeter got was a corner from
which they did not profit.

This incident proved the turning point in the game, for within a minute Torquay were in the lead. The ball was crossed from the right and the crippled SHAW, meeting it first-time, shot low into the net.

Result:

EXETER CITY 1-2 TORQUAY UNITED

COMMENTS

Victory rightly went to Torquay, who were the faster and better-knit football side. But I am bound to say that the City were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty. Mr. Griffiths was well on the spot, however, and his word counted. grandly, and Davey played well at centre-half. The forward line disappointed, apart from Knight.

Attendance, 15,518; receipts, £1,420 2s.

The City failed to get into gear and took too long about their work a fatal mistake against the speedy opposition Torquay opposition.

Southern League 

HASTINGS WOKE TO SCORE 2 IN 6 MINS.

IN anticipation of rather heavy going, Manager Jack Tresadern moved Huckstepp from inside-right and put Don Barr in his place, for Hastings' Southern League match with Exeter City Reserves. Otherwise the home team was the same that met Norwich in the F.A. Cup replay on Wednesday.

Exeter, on the other hand, were forced to make drastic changes and a team reshuffles, C. James and Storey being brought into the defence instead of Rowe and Mitchell.

Mitchell went to centre-forward in place of Cook, who went out to the left-wing, and Samuels took Murphy's place at inside-left.

There was a crowd of about 3,500 in bright sunshine when the match opened. Hastings took up the attack but Don Barr shot wide. Griffiths miskicked and Cook was left with only the 'keeper to beat, but his shot, too, was wide

Over the top

Exeter had another chance when goalkeeper Ball ran out to Mitchell, but the ball went past an upright. The Hastings defence was not show ing up too well against Exeter's attack.

Hastings had a chance when Asher passed to Hillman, who centred, but Don Barr, close to goal, lifted the ball over the crossbar.

Samuels netted but was offside. It was a poor game. Hastings could not settle down, and Exeter were erratic, fumbling several good chances.

Hastings, however, recovered a little form and opened the scoring after 28 minutes when Ray Barr crossed the ball to his brother Don. He headed it into the path of PARKS, who rammed the ball into the net with a low shot.

Samuels sent a free kick over the crossbar Then Parks was brought down in the penalty area, and ASHER added Hastings' second goal after 34 minutes

Half-time:

HASTINGS UNITED 2-0 EXETER CITY RES.

Shortly after the restart Exeter had their first real shot of the game, but Cook did not seriously test the Hastings keeper. Both sides at tacked in turn. but play was scrappy and aimless. Singleton saved Ray Barr's shot from a free kick. There was no further score.

Result:

HASTINGS UNITED 2-0 EXETER CITY RES


CITY 'A' v. EXMOUTH

EXETER CITY "A" soon showed their superiority in their home fixture against Exmouth at Countess Wear.

They dominated the mid-field play and their wings were always ready to make full use of opportune passes. Exmouth, on the other hand, showed clever touches among the forwards, but their finishing and positioning in front of the home goal was often at fault.

After 15 minutes Bond, Exeter's right winger, passed well to centre forward TOWARD, who easily beat Lear with a hard shot. Exmouth had the wind with them but the sun was in their eyes for the major part of the half.

Five minutes after their first goal, Exeter gained another when TOWARD lifted the ball over Lear's head into the net.

Half-time:

EXETER CITY "A" 2-0 EXMOUTH

In the second half TOWARD (2) and GAINES scored for the City "A."

Result:
EXETER CITY "A" 5-0 EXMOUTH 

EXMOUTH TOWN "B" v. EXETER CITY "B"

Short of a full-back for the first 20 minutes of their second round Geary Cup match, Exmouth Town "B" were given few attacking opportunities when visited by Exeter City "B" this afternoon.

In the seasiders' goal-mouth Crabb was constantly on the alert, and pulled off several fine saves before being outwitted by ELSTONE in the tenth minute. Aided by a strong wind the City continued to press. but Turner's delayed arrival strengthened the Town's defence. A few minutes before half-time SWANSTON put the City two goals ahead.

Half-time:
EXMOUTH TOWN "B" 0-2 CITY "B"

CHITTENDON scored the City's third goal with a penalty shot five minutes before time. Result:

EXMOUTH TOWN "B"0-3  CITY "B"