City and Argyle in First Round at St. James's Park

"BAD FEELING"-A ROUGH CUP TIE

CHARITY CUP:
WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 13TH

Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle met this afternoon, at St. James's Park, in the First Round of the Southern Charity Cup, the present holders of which are Southend United. Last year Plymouth beat the Grecians in the Second Round, and were then themselves worsted by Coventry during extra time at Home Park in the semi final. For today's match both clubs made alterations, and Lagan was given his first chance with the City. The Argyle, who have just recently transferred Boden, included Paltridge, the old amateur player, who has now signed professional forms. Teams :

CITY Pym Nevin Hurst Rigby Lagan Bassett. Whittaker Cooper Rutter Lockett Ives

Referee: Mr W.E.Russell, of Swindon.

ARGYLE: Craig Atterbury Butler Baker Tainsh Paltridge. Dixon McLaren Bell Burch Kirkpatrick

A blustering cold wind prevailed when Lockett, captain for the day, lost the toss to Butler, and Rutter started the game against the gale. Pym handled in the first minute, but play afterwards went to the half-way line. Nevin had a high kick carried behind by the wind for a corner, and the Argyle pressed, but Dixon shot high over. Hands was given against Bassett just outside the penalty area, Burch shooting wide from the free-kick. Ives was badly fouled by Baker, and from the free-kick "hands" in the penalty area was claimed against Tainsh, but the referee ruled in favour of the Argyle man. The wind was spoiling the game, and in this half was a very serious handicap to the City. They were holding their own quite well, however, and Craig had to save a flicked header by Rutter following a free-kick taken by Bassett.

Another Penalty Missed.
Ives, who was coming in for some very rough treatment, was tripped up by Butler in the penalty area, and Whittaker took the kick, but the ball rose in the wind and carried over the bar. It was the second penalty award that Exeter had missed in successive matches. The Argyle took heart from this lucky "let off", and attacked strongly, Nevin coming to the rescue with a clever clearance when things looked dangerous. Two corners fell to Plymouth, and then at the other end Lockett narrowly missed from Whittaker's centre, but two minutes later Cooper headed a beautiful goal from Ives's centre. This success against the high wind was most inspiring, and the City defence afterwards played heroically to keep the Plymothians out. They attacked with plenty of vim and bustle too, on several occasions, and Cooper put in one shot that struck the side of the net. Craig saved a "blinder" from Lockett, and also kept out a smart header by Rutter. For a time the City were all over their rivals, and when a chance presented itself to McLaren he overstepped the ball. At the half-time interval the score was:
EXETER CITY 1-0 PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

Second Half.
The wind had dropped considerably when the game was restarted. Craig had to save a fast shot from Rigby, and for a long time the Grecians monopolised play. Lockett skied high over the bar from fifteen yards out. Burch headed wide following a corner, then back went the City, who were clearly now the better side. Two corners fell to them, but without result, and the Argyle tried one or two long shots which Pym dealt with comfortably. Ives hurt himself tried to put paid to a shot right across the goal by Rutter, and quickly resumed, although lame for five or six minutes. Dixon made a dashing run, and ended up by striking the outside of the net, while just afterwards Pym ran out a long way and kicked clear from the same player. At the other end the City forced three more corners, but each was cleared. By way of a change Pym was given a sharp shot to save, from Bell, and came out of difficulties with flying colours. Nevin transferred play with a huge kick, three quarters of the length of the field, and Craig was soon busy again.

Issue Beyond Doubt.

Ives was very badly fouled by Butler after the Argyle skipper had been clearly beaten, and the crowd took none too kindly to Butler's display. Several more free-kicks were given in Exeter's favour at this stage, and from one of these Cooper collected the ball and ran through on his own to score a grand goal. He was alert to seize his opportunity, and gave Craig no earthly chance with his final shot. With less than fifteen minutes remaining, Exeter's second goal had put the issue beyond doubt, barring miracles. Bassett cleared from a corner, and near the end free kicks were very plentiful. Lagan was laid out in a rough melee but re covered after attention from the trainer, and with ten minutes to go darkness was setting in. Pym saved from McLaren, and Nevin was badly hurt and carried off the field.
Final:
EXETER CITY 2
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 0 

Notes on the Game.
Exeter City have at last scored another victory over their great Devon rivals. Today, before a crowd of 2,000, they well and truly beat Plymouth Argyle in the first round of the Charity Cup, and were clearly the better side. Even against the fierce wind in the first half they crossed over with a lead, Cooper, who was the City's best forward, having headed past Craig from a centre by Ives. In the second half Exeter practically monopolised the play, but Butler and Atterbury were very sound, and they could only get one more shot past Craig. Snapping up the ball from one of many free-kicks awarded to Exeter, Cooper rounded Tainsh and scored with a great drive which the custodian scarcely saw. Unfortunately, like most encounters between the Devon clubs, it was by no means a pleasant game, and during the last half an hour, especially, fouls were frequent. Ives was hurt in a rough tackle with Butler, and just before the finish Nevin was carried off unconscious. Exeter were by no means blameless in the matter of rough and dangerous play, but the Argyle were by far the worst offenders, and what should have been a good match was spoilt by bad feeling.

Speedy Wing Men.
Neither side was at full strength, the City giving trials to Nevin and Lagan, while Bassett resumed at left-half and Lockett, who captained the team in Crompton's absence, played at inside left. The Argyle included Craig, Tainsh, Kirkpatrick, and the new professional, Paltridge, in place of Horne, McCormick, Thom, and Bowler. The boisterous wind rendered good football at a discount, but many clever movements were made, and the wing men on both sides were fast and tricky with Ives the best of the four. Craig had more work to do than Pym, the Topsham lad being splendidly covered by Hurst, who was excellent in the City defence.

Fruitless Corners.
The City forwards, playing under bad conditions, were usually much more effective than the Argyle line, Dixon, Kirkpatrick, and Burch being the best of the latter. Baker was the pick of the Plymouth half-backs, and figured in many of the raids led by his team in the opening half, when they had the wind behind them. During the game over a dozen corners proved fruitless, while Whittaker distinguished himself by missing a penalty for Exeter City.

The Accident to Nevin.
Nevin was unconscious for twenty minutes after being carried off the field. Doctor Duncan was called to the dressing room, and the player subsequently recovered. He had sustained a bad bruise at the bottom of his ribs, but fortunately the injury is not believed to be serious. The accident to Nevin occurred in the last two minutes of a game which had been of an unpleasant description owing to a large number of fouls, in which Plymouth Argyle were clearly the main offenders.