Match 40
13th March 1937
Watford (h)

Southern League
Barry (a)

Saturday, March 13th.

EXETER CITY 2 WATFORD 1.

To lowly Exeter City, who has caused more than one shock already this season, fell the distinction of inflicting upon Watford their first defeat since the beginning of January. The City, playing at St James's Park before a crowd of 6,000, won by the odd goal of three, and they deserved their victory because they were stronger in front of goal. Exeter were not so polished in midfield as Watford, whose play at times was brilliant, but they had far more thrust and profited by direct methods. Stan Hurst, the Devonian from Tipton St John, who got his first chance in professional football with Exeter City, was on Watford's left wing, but he was closely watched by Stimpson and Clarke, and did not shine in this match.

City: Chesters; Stimpson, Boyle; Clarke, Angus, Young; F.Smith, Bussey, Williams, Johnson, Owen.
Watford:- McLaren; O'Brien, Woodward; Morgan, Armstrong, Reed;
Jones, Barnett, Fletcher, W.Davies, Hurst.

Favoured by winning the toss and thereby having the advantage of both wind and sun Watford threatened to overwhelm the City at the start. The home goal had survived miraculously two or three times before Fletcher opened the scoring from Jones's centre. Midway through the first half Exeter got going. Then in a swift and determined raid on the left Owen centred to the goalmouth. McLaren came out but failed to capture the ball and Smith closed in from the opposite wing to drive home the equaliser. Smith scored Exeter's winning goal in the second half, but Exeter nearly threw victory away in the closing stages through falling back on defence.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
BARRY v CITY RESERVES.


Exeter City Reserves completed the "double" over Barry, whom they beat at St James's Park on February 6th. They won today on the Barry ground by four goals to two, having led at the interval by two (C. Smith and Urmson) to nil. Fred Whitlow scored for Barry in the second half, but the two goals margin was resotred by C. Smith. Mason with a penalty kick scored for Barry and Keane for Exeter.

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