Exeter Fight to Escape Relegation

Saturday, January 27th 1912.
SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
EXETER CITY 1, BRENTFORD 0
Last season: City 0 Brentford 0.
In 1909-10: City 4 Brentford 1.

Exeter City entered upon an important phase of their fight to escape relegation this afternoon, when, at St. James's Park, they met Brentford, the team which last week beat New Brompton by no fewer than seven goals to one. Both Exeter and Brentford were badly in need of points, but the City's case, of course, was the worse, for it was reckoned that a defeat today would be an almost certain forerunner of relegation.
Teams:
CITY: Whittaker (W) Fort Evans Rigby Bassett Griffiths Whittaker(E) Lockett Watson Cornan Garside
Referee:- Mr. C. C. Fallowfield, of London.
BRENTFORD Ling Rhodes Spratt Barclay Hickleton Kennedy Anderson Hendren Rippon Rouse Brawn. 

For today's game the City were still below strength, for Parnell and Prideaux were both injured at Luton last week, and Griffiths and Enos Whittaker replaced them. Earlier in the week the pitch at St. James's Park was in a shocking state, and the area along the penalty line at the far end was ankle deep in mud. In consequence the goalposts were brought forward, making the pitch only two yards longer than it used to be before the extension. As it turned out, however, this proved to be hardly necessary, for in the last twenty four hours there has been a welcome spell of clear, drying weather, and the pitch has recovered itself remarkably well. Gloriously bright weather prevailed when Brentford arrived an hour and a half before the commencement. They were accompanied by several directors, who expressed themselves as confident of the Bees' ability to take two points away, if only the team reproduced its form of a week ago.

The Game
It was a fairly big crowd, about 5,000, when the teams took the field, and the turnstiles were still busily engaged.
Brentford lost the toss, and kicking off, attacked straight away. Rouse was almost through, and after Fort's partial clearance Anderson got the ball on the left amid shouts from the crowd of "offside". He was allowed to continue, but Fort dashed across and hampered him, and his shot went outside. Exeter took up the running and Watson bore his way through and got the Brentford backs in a tangle, but Lockett gained possession only to shoot well wide of the target. In the next move Whittaker centred with fine judgment, and after a hectic skirmish in the goalmouth Brawn kicked clear. Exeter almost scored after fifteen minutes, but Lockett's shot rebounded off the crossbar into play, whence it was cleared by Rhodes.

Long-Delayed Goal.
Exeter maintained the pressure and forced a corner, from which Ling saved a beautiful header by Watson. The younger of the Whittakers got away at full speed on the right wing, and whipped in a shot that Ling could not hold at the first try, but managed to retrieve the ball with a couple of forwards dashing in. After Ling had saved from Watson, and Griffiths had put a long shot just over the bar, the City at last were rewarded with the long-delayed goal. The Brentford backs were challenged by Watson and failed to clear, whereupon Ling ran out, but the ball bounced out to Garside, who skipped around the goalkeeper and volleyed it into the unguarded net, amid loud cheering. The City continued to hold the upper hand, but Brawn was allowed to get free on one occasion with a clear field before him. Whittaker came out to meet the winger, but Fort came across and took the ball from Brawn before he could get his shot in. Half-time: City 1, Brentford nil.
Second Half.
In the second half play was more in favour of Brentford, but although they often looked capable of breaking through they paid too much attention to their right-wing, and first rate player though Brawn undoubtedly is, he was generally, in this match, thwarted by either Griffiths, or Evans, or both. Poor passing by the City forwards was noticeable in this half, though no doubt the state of the ground, which had cut up very badly, accounted for much of it. Fort came brilliantly to Exeter's rescue several times, and Evans was also prominent with good tackling and kicking. Brentford mounted several dangerous attacks during the final ten minutes, and the best chance fell to Rouse, who shot wide.

Comments.
A much desired win was accomplished at the expense of a Brentford side that scored seven times last week, but failed absolutely in that respect today. With the wind behind them in the first half Exeter City played interesting and energetic football, and most of the play was at the Brentford end. Watson led the forwards in fine style and was well supported by Garside. Bassett was in commanding form at centre-half, and held Rippon, the old Bristol City centre, with confidence. Rigby, who is gaining valuable experience, had his best game for the City "chiefs" so far. Ling was a brilliant goalkeeper for Brentford, especially before the interval, and apart from his one error which cost a goal Rhodes was an efficient back.

TORQUAY TOWN v CITY RESERVES.
At Plainmoor today, Torquay Town entertained Exeter City Reserves in connection with the Plymouth and District League. In the opening stages Exeter monopolised the play, Rutter and Caddy being especially dangerous in their attacks, but as the game wore on Torquay got into their stride, and Pym was fortunate in being able to clear a tricky shot from P.C.Evans, formerly of Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle. Eventually Pridham scored for Torquay, and after Arscott had narrowly missed at the other end Bailey equalised from Rutter's centre.
Half-time:
Torquay Town 1, City Reserves 1.
Dean put the Town ahead from the penalty spot, and in the last five minutes Evans netted with a good shot to give the home side a margin they scarcely merited on the general run of the game.
Final:
Torquay Town 3-1 City Reserves