City's 6-points-from 6-Easter
"best in years"

WATFORD BEATEN IN 'DERBY'-LIKE CLASH
LIONEL WOTTON'S COMMENTARY

SIX POINTS from three matches, including the double over Watford, one of the classiest teams in the Third Division. So ended Exeter City's happiest Easter for many years when, at St. James's Park, yesterday, Charlie McClelland shot the winning goal 15 minutes from time. 

Two-one was the margin of victory in the Watford return, witnessed by a disappointingly low attendance of just under 9,000. The match merited a much larger crowd, because the encounter was keenly fought, and there were flashes of soccer skill from the rival teams. If anything, Watford were the more academic side. Within the visiting ranks was a grand scheming Inside forward in the fair-haired Jimmy Bowie, ex-Chelsea star who was on the verge of Scottish international honours a few seasons ago. Bowie retains the master touches. His stylish ball control, and deftly made passes bore the First Division stamp in yesterdays match. Less cultured in approach play, the City were sounder in defence, and the attack, intelligently led by Andy Donaldson had dangerous spells, notably at the start, and again in the last 15 minutes when the foe were labouring under the handicap of having to operate a man short.

Leader's touches
THE adroitness of Donaldson was much in evidence during a whirlwind City opening. His was the pass which sent Gerald Priestley careering away in the third minute to force a corner. His was the subtle flick which brought Exeter the opening goal in the fifth minute. when outside-right Priestley cut in and shot low past goalkeeper Bennett. Cut and thrust exchanges were the subsequent order until midway through the first half, when the initiative passed definitely to Wat ford. The quick thinking genius of Bowie was seen when his lightning 20-yard drive cannoned back into pay from an upright. The equalis Ing goal, in the 22nd minute. was shot by Maurice Cook after Kelly had fisted out a centre from Payton. There was much to admire about the accurate approach Day of Watford at this stage, and it took every thing the well-knit City defence possessed to keep the opposition at bay. After the interval both goals were often in peril, and Exeter's chances of regaining the lead appeared slight when left-back Norman Douglass came off second best in a collision with centre-forward Cook, Blood poured from a deen scalp wound, and the gallant Douglass was led from the field to the dressing room. "Let me go back." he pleaded. Not until the club doctor has stitched that cut " was the firm retort of trainer Harry Hanford.  The medico did his job. Back came Douglass to resume at outside-left, and almost become the subject of soccer's holiday story when he shot against an upright, and coolly netted from the rebound. Alas! the whistle went for an infringement, and Watford were awarded a free kick. Within a minute or so of Exeter regaining full numerical strength Watford were a man short. Cook swayed and staggered. Suffering from concussion, he was led from the field, and did not return.

Thrill on thrill
THEN came the thrills, and 90 percent of them at the Watford end. An upright was hit. Shots were blocked on the goal-line. Bennett dived to make a wonder save from Donaldson's fast, going-away drive. Right-back Bewley, standing almost beneath the crossbar, deflected for a corner a shot from Jackie Knight that had "Goal written all over it. The St. James's roar was let loose. Summoning up the last ounce of stamina, the City players responded nobly. Hesitancy lost McClelland a favourable chance, but within a minute of that lapse he was to become the match-winner.

Playing the part of a roving Inside-forward after the reshuffle caused by the injury to Dougiass. McClelland hit the ball with his left foot. From the edge of the penalty area the hall sped Into the top far corner of the net, and the City were in the full bonus Again.

There was little danger of the lead being surrendered. On the contrary. Exeter deserved another goal when an Arnold Mitchell shot, keeping low, flashed a foot on the wrong side of an upright, with Bennett motionless on his line. Once more the City defence per formed nobly. Hugh Kelly, Dick Walton, and the game Douglass up to the time of his injury, formed a solid rearguard. When Douglass was moved into the forward fine, Bill Parker dropped to left-back and got through some valuable work. His sure volleying with the left foot was good.

At half-back, Fred Davey's cool interceptions applied the stopper to many a Watford attempt to burst through the middle. Mitchell and Sammy Booth completed a steady line, and the former's use of the long. cross-field pass showed the right idea.

Donaldson, skilled in ball control and able to pass where the rival defence least expected the ball to go, was the pick of the City attack, and Priestley was another forward to enjoy a distinctive match.
Summing up, this was no Bank Holiday game with an end-of-season flavour. It could have been a City Argyle Clash, so flerce was the ternpo at times.

Geary Cup Semi-Final
Tiverton 1-0 City "B"
at Cullompton 

Devon Professional Cup 
Semi-Final
Ilfracombe v Exeter City. 
20th April 1954 or 21st April 

EXETER CITY IN DEVON PROFESSIONAL CUP FINAL

Doyle did well as leader of attack; Ilfracombe, beaten 3-0, faded

CONSIDERING Ifracombe Town were much below their normal strength, particularly in attack, they put up quite a good performance in the semi-final of the Devon Professional Cup competition which Exeter City won 3-0 at Ilfracombe last evening. Exeter now meet Plymouth Argyle in the final at St. James's Park Ilfracombe started off with great gusto and for quite a long time Channing, who was having his first game since his injury, was kept on the move. His long centres from the right wing caused lively moments in front of Exeter's goal, but Singleton. the City's keeper, was always on hand.

Singleton had to be quick when he flung himself across the goal to stop a twisting shot from Spalding enter ing the net. On the other hand Exeter held the ball a little better than Ifracombe and in their lightning rushes they gave Ifracombe's defence some anxious moments. Exeter's attack was led splendidly by Doyle, and he distributed the ball to his wingmen quite frequently. Midway through the first half when honours were about even. Parker scored for Exeter. He took the ball on the run and gave Pike, Ifracombe's 'keeper, no chance with his shot.

Spirited rally

Ilfracombe then made a rally and offside robbed it Ilfracombe's leader, of a golden opportunity to equalise. Although Exeter were the more polished side. Ifracombe did quite well up to the interval.

On the resumption it became obvious that Ilfracombe were feeling the effects of their heavy Easter pro gramme and they tired. Channing and Gibson still nursed their in juries and Ilfracombe's first half brilliance faded right away.
But Exeter continued to entertain the large crowd and they saw McClelland and Mitchell score the City's second and third goal. Itracombe's play never reached the same standard and the City had a much more comfortable half than they did in the first half of the game.

ILFRACOMBE:
Pike, Mitchell, Mitcham, Turner
Bartholomew, Carter, Spalding, Pickard Gibson, Goodfellow, Irwin

CITY:
Singleton, Storey, Rowe, Booth, Davey Mitchell, Priestley, Mackay, Doyle, Parker, McClelland