CITY RESHUFFLE THE TEAM AND SHARE THE POINTS.

EXETER CITY 0 LINCOLN CITY 0
AT ST JAMES'S PARK.

Played on Saturday August 31st. The City had to be content with a goalless draw in their first home match of the season. They had to make a last-minute change, Edgar reporting unfit, so Spiers, who was not originally selected, came back into the team. John Cochrane, signed from Brighton & Hove three weeks ago, was on the right wing, where he was making his first team debut. Lincoln included their £3,000 signing from Middlesbrough, Neal. As the teams came out with the City in their new all red jerseys and shorts it started to rain on the already greasy pitch. Lincoln won the toss and Exeter kicked off against the rain.

Exeter City: Barnett; Smyth and Patrick; Mitchell, Harvey, and Anderson; Cochrane, Henderson, Curtis, Rees, and Spiers.

Lincoln City: - Carling; Jones and Smith; Linnecor, Heward, and Neal;
Holmes, Morton, Campbell, Rooney, and Bannister.

Referee: Mr V.J.Batty of Helsby.

The City started the second half with a peculiar looking formation, Patrick being at outside left, Anderson full back and Spiers left half. Then later on another reshuffle put Patrick at centre-forward with Rees on the left wing and Curtis inside. If they had not had to do without Edgar and reshuffle their side so severely the City would probably have won. The 19 years old Cochrane gave a very promising display and Anderson it seems is as good a back as he is a wing half.

CHIPPENHAM TOWN 1
CITY RESERVES O
AT CHIPPENHAM.
Western League
A spirited Exeter attack broke when Riding shot against the post and the rebound went over the bar. Parkhill mis-handled from Akers, but MacDonald was on hand to kick clear. After half an hour Chippenham scored their first goal of the season and this was sufficient to beat the City Reserves.

Team 
Sidey; Quarrington, MacDonald; Rutley, Northcott, Grace; Stuckey, Riding, Redwood, Williams, Ley,


EXETER CITY WIN THE LEAGUE
CUP TIE.
Wednesday 4th September 

OXFORD UNITED 0
EXETER CITY (Cochrane) 1.

Played at Oxford, September 4th: "United to Win by Big Margin." That was what the big black type of the bill-boards silently screamed at Exeter City's players as they walked into the Manor Ground, Oxford, for the Football League first round cup-tie. Well, anybody can make a mistake, can't they?  In fact, the City sailed into the second round of this competition with a 1-0 win, which came from the best display of football they have turned on this season.

Oxford United:- Rouse; Beavon and Quartermain; Atkinson, Kyle, and Jones; Knight, Longbottom, Houghton, Willey, and Harrington.

Exeter City:- Barnett; Smyth and MacDonald; Mitchell, Harvey, and Anderson; Cochrane, Henderson, Curtis, Grace, and Rees.

Exeter City played to a prearranged plan, and it worked perfectly. The plan was that as soon as they kicked off Grace moved back into the left half position while Anderson moved into the middle alongside Harvey to take over as joint centre half. That was the formation when the City defended. When they attacked both Mitchell and Grace moved up as well. The result was that in every phase of the game Exeter had at least one extra man, and Oxford never did figure it out, or find a way to beat it. The defensive play of Exeter was brilliant, and the football played in the forward line began in the defence. Hardly a ball was wasted and every one that came out of the defence was played out neatly and carefully to start another slash at Oxford. And fifteen minutes from the end a clearance was worked upfield for Cochrane to finish things off with a drive that went between the goalkeeper and the upright.


THURSDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 1953.

COCHRANE THINKS OVER OFFER

John Cochrane, nearing the completion of a months trial with Exeter City has been offered a full professional contract, but the Belfast born winger and had two seasons with Brighton before coming to City has not jumped at the chance. He still has a week left of his trial and will make a decision at the end of it.

Meanwhile City have released former Bristol City inside forward Adrian Williams turned down an extension of his trial for another month. John Symington, just 17 played for Eire at schoolboy and youth level and looks a useful acquisition. Ley will make a decision to sign professional or not.