PLYMOUTH ARGYLE RESERVES v EXETER CITY.

Saturday, September 30th.

There was a fairly large attendance at Home Park, Plymouth, to day, when the Argyle Reserves entertained Exeter City in the Plymouth and District League. The Argyle included four of their professionals, W. H. Horne, the former Essa goalkeeper, J. Banks, ex-   Manchester United, McNiel, a new player from Hearts of Midlothian, and Godley, recently signed from Stoke. Exeter were without Thomas.

ARGYLE:- 
Horne 
Cudlipp McNiel
Mortimer Pethick Banks
Peard Godley Burch Meager Crocker

Referee: Mr S.Smith.

Russell Andrews Reid Beech Sellick Fenwick Davidson Morgan
Clarke W.Wells
Sturge
EXETER CITY

The opening exchanges rather favoured the Argyle, but from the start Wells was seen to advantage in the City defence. On the left wing Russell and Andrews were also prominent. Burch put in a fine shot following a round of passing between Peard and Godley, but Sturge saved handsomely. Peard again got a centre right across the goalmouth but Crocker kicked the ball into the side of the net. Reid for Exeter tried a long shot but the ball went high over the bar.

MORTIMER OPENS THE SCORE.
Russell and Andrews got away on Exeter's left, but their effort lacked finish, and the Argyle were quicker on the ball than the City. Exeter's defence was hard pressed and several corners were conceded, Sturge fisting out in grand style. The Argyle were playing a very vigorous game, and they were the first to score, Mortimer netting with a stinging shot from at least thirty yards out. The ball seemed to swerve in the air, Sturge being deceived by its flight. From the restart the City forwards came away in a fast rush up the field but Andrews shot wide. Davidson got through nicely, but Davidson spoiled a good opening by hanging on to the ball too long. Burch took up the running for the Argyle, but drove the ball over the bar. Play was settling on the half-way line at the interval, when the Argyle led by one goal to nil. Neither side could be said to have held any great advantage in the first half. Truly the professionals had made more of their opportunities, but the City might have scored at least once.

SECOND HALF.

The Argyle kicked off and from the start made straight for the Exeter goal. Davidson relieved the pressure momentarily but in the next minute Godley shot over from a dangerous position. Peard and Burch had shots fisted away by Sturge, who was on top of his form. Burch added a second goal for Plymouth ten minutes after the re start, beating Sturge with an unstoppable drive from close in. Further goals were scored by Burch and Pethick, the latter with a soft shot that Sturge should have saved. Now four goals in advance, the Argyle played with renewed pace and vigour, and Exeter were obviously a well-beaten team.
AN UNUSUAL INCIDENT.
Burch shot splendidly but failed to score, from a corner - kick, then at the other end of the field an unusual incident occurred. Horne got a shot from his own back but misjudged it. Seeing his goal was in imminent danger he fell upon the ball. Several City men fell on him, and one proceeded to pull Horne off the ball by his legs. A free kick was given against Exeter. The Argyle were now having all the game, and towards the finish their superior training began to tell. Although Exeter continued to try as hard as they could they were not quick enough, and even failed with a penalty, Horne saving Davidson's kick. Meager scored a fifth goal for Plymouth and Burch a sixth, just on time.

Result:
Plymouth Argyle Reserves 6
Exeter City 0


And in the:- 

East Devon Senior League
Reserves v  Torquay United 

Torquay United played their first East Devon League match on Saturday, when they defeated Exeter City at Exeter by 2 goals to 1. The latter had also a match with Argyle Reserves, and seeing that they had had to send a strong team to Plymouth, the eleven which met United can hardly be considered a representative one. The United were at their full strength. The first half was very evenly contested and it was close on half time before anything was scored. The goal was the outcome of a good corner kick by Burton, Thomas seizing the ball, and passing the ball to White, who sent in a well judged shot.

The second half play was even more exciting, Exeter City quickly drawing level through Loughman, who scored a pretty goal. At this point, excitment ran high, each team striving hard to obtain the lead. The homesters put on pace, and were very near scoring on more than one occasion, Easton being at times brilliant. At last the efforts of the United forwards met with success and Burton sent in a nicely placed kick from corner, Deane (pictured below) heading the ball into the net. The Exeter team strove strenously to add to their score but were unsuccessful and the United team won a hotly contested game by 2 goals to 1.

The United players were considerably improved and gave promise of great things. The most noticable improvement was in the forward line. They combined better and played better all round. The half- backs also did some fine work, Jackman being greatly in evidence. At back, Beer and Drury were safe and repeatedly foiled the homesters' movements. In goal Easton proved himself a very resourceful player, but there is still room for improvement.

(Torquay Times, 6/10/05)