Football in Devon 5
1897 to 1898

The 1897-1898 Season

SATURDAY 9th OCTOBER 1897.

EXETER UNITED-4,
ROYAL ARTILLERY 1,

Scorers
Exeter Lang 2, Brewer, Bailey,
R.A. Sharp.
The United, playing their first match of theseason, kicked off up the hill, and forced a corner. This was cleared, but the United returned to the attack, taking the ball right through to the visitors goal line, Lang scoring the first goal, Brewer scored another goal for Exeter, and several good saves were made by Hele for the Artillery. In their own territory the visitors received a free kick, and the ball was placed forward to Sharp, who sent in a hard shot which Simmons failed to stop, Bailey and Lang then scored for Exeter United, who led comfortably at half time, The play in the 2nd half was very fast, and all attempts to score by the Artillery were kept out by Simmons.

SATURDAY 16th OCTOBER 1897,

WELLINGTON 0, EXETER UNITED 4.

Scorers
Exeter: Unknown

Team:- 
Exeter: Simmons; Conry, Swan; Lutley, Askam Hall; Bailey, Laing, Davey Maben, and Perkins.

SATURDAY 30th OCTOBER 1897,

TAVISTOCK 0,
EXETER UNITED 2,
Scorers:- Unknown 

SATURDAY 6th NOVEMBER 1897,

Exeter United
Dawlish
(Association).
At Dawlish.


Exeter United: Simmons: Mortimore and Swan; Hall, Davisson, and Askam Perkins, Chaffey, Conry, Swift, and Laing. Leave St. David's Station at 1.54 p.m.

SATURDAY 13th NOVEMBER 1897

Crediton
Exeter United
At Crediton.



Exeter:
Simmons: Back and Tavener; Chaffey, Davisson, and Askam Perkins, Davey, Swift, Laing, and Bailey.

SATURDAY 20th NOVEMBER 1897

Exeter United v. Dawlish (Association).
At Magdalen-road.
Kick off 3pm

Teams: 
Exeter:
Simmons, goal: Denny and Conry, backs: Hall, Chaffey, and Askam half backs: Perkins, Davey, Swift, Faing, and Bailey, forwards.

Dawlish: Wyatt, goal: Woodman and Knapman, backs; Carter, Allsopp, and Cuteliffe, half backs; Easton, Keelan, Edwards, Newberry, and Cotton, forwards. 



SATURDAY 27th NOVEMBER 1897,

TAUNTON 1,
EXETER UNITED 1
Scorers

SATURDAY 4th DECEMBER 1897,
At Topsham Barracks.

ROYAL ARTILLERY 0.
EXETER UNITED 5,

Scorers
Exeter Bailey 3, Lang, Swift,1,

The Royal Artillery were unable to put their best team on the field, as two were in hospital, owing to injuries, and two were on furlough, Substitutes, however, were duly found, and the game proved very exciting, though Exeter did much as they pleased. In the first half the United pressed, and their goalkeeper had next to nothing to do, Four goals were scored by Exeter before half time," while the Artillery's efforts were all fruitless, Most of the United's points were scored through the backs of the home team keeping too far up the field, The slippery state of the ground was the cause of much miskicking. In the 2nd half the game was of a less exciting nature, and the Royal Artillery showed much better form, The United notched another goal near the end, The best players on the United side were Askam and Denny,

SATURDAY 8th JANUARY 1898.

EXETER UNITED 2,
TAUNTON 1,

Scorers
Exeter Lang, Sawyer,
Taunton Johnson.

The visitors won the toss, kicking off up the slope, A free kick to Exeter was cleared with a long punt by one of the Taunton backs. The visitors attacked the Exeter goal with force, but Simmons was equal to all demands. A header by one of the United forwards was headed out by one of the Taunton backs, Conry then received from Askam, and at a good pace travelled up the field with the ball at his toes, but the chance of a score was lost through Bailey missing his kick, Johnson scored for Taunton to give them a half time lead, On the restart the visitors again showed up well, just missing two goals. Eventually the United went down the field, and when Bailey charged the goalkeeper, Lang sent the ball into the net, making the scores equal, Soon afterwards Sawyer scored for Exeter, following clever combination between Bailey and Mortimer, Exeter pressed for the remainder of the game, and Conry shot another goal, but it was disallowed being offside. The game thus ended in a win for Exeter United,

SATURDAY 29th JANUARY 1898,

EXETER UNITED 2,
TRAINING COLLEGE 2,

Scorers
Exeter Mermogen, Maben,
College Jones, Winnery.

Play throughout was fast, the teams being excellently matched, The Training College kicked off down the slope and both teams fought hard, The visitors scored the first goal about 10 minutes afterthe kick off through Jones, who dribbled through from the left wing in splendid fettle. Soon afterwards the United got near their opponents goal, by dint of much clever play, and Mermogen receiving from Bailey, put in a fine shot right in the middle of the College net. in midfield, but a very determined rush was made. On the restart, play was again fast but remained by the visitors, which ended in them being pulled up for offside. In the 2nd half a bad goal kick by Blackman resulted in the ball going straight to Davey, who centred neatly to Maben, and without a moments hesitation placed the leather in the corner of the visitors goal, Simmons indulged in some risky goalkeeping at this stage, and Winnery scored for the College, Edmondson, Mortimer, Askam and Conry all played well for Exeter,

SATURDAY 12th FEBRUARY 1898,

EXETER UNITED 3,
DEVON COUNTY SCHOOL 1,


Scorers
Exeter Maben 3.
D.C.S Taylor,

The visitors kicked off and started with a fine rush, but it was stopped by one of the home backs, and the leather was carried to the other end, after losse play Maben received and shot an easy goal, Exeter were afterwards mostly kept on the defensive, and at half time they were fortunate to be leading by one goal. The Exeter team was lacking in combinatio, and were too prone to resort to hard tackling. In the 2nd half Exeter made a couple of fast rushes, and Maben scored a goal each time. Just before the finish Taylor headed in a magnificent goal for the visitors.

SATURDAY 12th MARCH 1898.

EXETER UNITED 1, PLYMOUTH 0.

Scorer
Exeter Conry.

Played at Magdalen Road before a large number of spectators, Plymouth kicked off and took the ball into Exeter's territory, but nothing resulted. Exeter then began to press, but the defensive powers of the Plymouth back division were seen to advantage. Askam gave away a corner to prevent Plymouth from scoring. When it came across the ball was retrieved by Simmons, and with a giant kick he sent it well over the centre line, where it remained for a time. Conry getting possession gave to Davey, who splendidly dribbled up the right wing, but was eventually stopped by a Plymouth back. In the melee which followed Askam secured and passed to Bailey, but a corner was all that resulted, Coles took it and placed well to the front of the Plymouth posts, but the other forwards were too slow, Plymouth clearing. Play developed fast and furious, both sides being evenly matched, Conry, receiving from Coles, dribbled up in fine style, and passed out to Davey, who shot, but the goalkeeper just punched the ball over the bar, and a corner was the consequence. From the resultant kick Conry headed grandly into the net, and thus secured the first goal, Play continued fast till half time, On the resumption of play Exeter continued to press, and Conry was well in evidence with tricky work, but Davey was no match for the Plymouth leftback, Vosper,

SATURDAY 19th MARCH 1898,

DEVON SENIOR CUP.


EXETER UNITED 4. 
WORCESTER REGIMENT 1,

Scorers
Exeter Davey, Bailey 2, Coles,
Worcester unknown 

Both teams teams were fully represented, and the game started well, Exeter displaying the better combination ands plenty of dash. Soon after the start Mermogen was laid out with his spine hurt, but after a short interval he carriedon, Andrews put in a good shot for the Worcesters, but the ball went overthe bar, Simmons saved a hard shot fromone of the visitors forwards, and Davidson kicked the ball clear in famous style, Davey then got away in a fast sprint up the right wing and put in a lovely centre to Bailey, who shot against the post, from the rebound Coles put the ball into the net, but was ruled offside, In subsequent play Askam gained possession and centred finely to the mouth of the goal, Davey rushing in and heading the ball into the net, Directly after the restart Exeter pressed again, and when Smith, the goalkeeper, fell in making a save, Bailey rushed in another goal,"

In the 2nd half, United continued to press, and Bailey and Coles were responsible for much dashing play, From a goal kick the ball was headed on from Conry to Davey, who centred, Coles sent in a shot which entered the net off one of the visiting backs, The visitors on the restart played up with fine dash, and their right wing landed the ball in the corner of the Exeter net. The notching of this first point, inspired the soldiers to greater efforts. Exeter were still having the best of the game, then added another goal through Bailey. The shooting of the home forwards was of a strong nature, Just before time was called a good chance was missed in front of the visitors goal by Davey. Play continued to be brisk, and the whistle blew with the score 4-1 in favour of the United, The game was a very exciting one, and the 600 spectators displayed the keenest interest in the contest. It is of course likely, that in the absence in Exeter of the Rugby representatives, who were away at Taunton, the number of people at the ground was considerably augmented, but comments were flying about to the effect that the game was quite as exciting and more scientific than that generally exhibited at the County Ground,, There is no doubt that the good impression given to those present at this match (some of them having never seen the game before) is bound to lead to more enthusiasm for the Association game in the future,

SATURDAY 2nd APRIL 1898,

DEVON SENIOR CUP Semi Final.

At Oaks Rugby Ground Exeter,

EXETER UNITED 3.
Simmons; Mortimer, Edmondson; Askam, Davidson, Oliver; Davey, Mermogen, Conry, Coles, Bailey,

SUTTON (PLYMOUTH) 0.

Scorers
Exeter Davey, Conry, Mermogen,

Exeter kicked off, after a little midfield play the ball went into the United quarters, but Simmons relieved with one of his long kicks, which enabled Exeter to become aggressive. The ball was again put through to the vicinity of the Exeter goal, but Davidson secured and passed to Conry, who passed to Coles, thence to Bailey, who dribbled up, but Coaker was too smart for him, and relieved him of the ball, Simmons eventually had to handle too prevent Plymouth from scoring, Tremlett displayed a fine piece of dribbling for Sutton, and when he advanced sufficiently far enough into the Exeter quarters, he passed to Ring, whose shot was saved by Simmonsat the 2nd attempt. Simmons then had plenty of work to do, shot after shot being fired in by theplymouth Forwards, Conry then got the ball and passed to Davey, who after beating Watson, shot beautifully into the bottom of the net giving Exeter the lead. Avery for Plymouth took the ball nearly the length of the field, and passed to King, who shot straight at Simmons, the goalkeeper clearing with a long kick, The pace of the game slackened off in the 2nd half, and hard tackling was freely indulged in by both sides, Davey receiving fron Conry, put in a hard shot which Coaker in trying to clear, kicked into his own goal, Mermogen just before the finish scored

The game ending in a 3-0 win for United, who now meet the 15th Battery in the Final, they having beaten Lipson in the other Semi Final.

WEDNESDAY 20th APRIL 1898,
EXETER UNITED v EXMOUTH

Scorers This match could hardly be described as interesting, as it was too one sided, Exmouth inthe first half, struggled well against great odds, and changed over with only one goal against them. In the 2nd half Exeter United became more "United" and the poor Exmothians could not stop the bail from several times entering their rigging. It was only necessary to watch the players for a short time to distinguish their class, and the one man who stood out above the rest was Conry, the United centre forward, Davey was a clever left winger, and Edmondson a strong back. The Exmouth goalkeeper covered himself with glory.

FRIDAY 22nd APRIL 1898,
EXETER UNITED'S DEVON SENIOR CUP PROSPECTS,

The career of Exeter United has been watched of late with intense interest by all "Soccer" football enthusiasts in the City. For the team has a very good record, and their play all through the season has "astonished the natives". They succeeded in getting to the Semi-Final of the Cup, and were drawn against the Worcestershire Regiment, against whom they came out victors after a very' grand display, Tomorrow they journey to Devonport to meet the 15th Company, Royal Artillery in the Final at the Rectory Field, the result of this game deciding the Champions of Devon, The Artillery men have a smart team, and a close tussle is therefore anticipated. Exeter United deserve the hearty support of the citizens, as they have been the means of bringing the Association code before the eyes of the football public, and shown them that Exeter can do as well, if not better at the "soccer" game than it can at "rugger".

The executive of Exeter United, for the first time in the club's history, have induced the London and South Western Railway to run an excursion to Devonport, and upon the number of supporters who travel will depend the success or non-success of any such future application. The special train will leave Queen Street at 1.15 p.m., and will call at St Davids, Crediton and Okehampton, (photo). Naturally the United are looking forward to the Cup Final as being an epoch making event for them, Gradually, but surely, they have in the last year or so been making headway in the City, and to bring the Devon Cup to the "Ever Faithful would be a fitting climax to the most successful season Association has ever had in Exeter, and should they acomplish the task, then it will give a great impetus to the game in this ditrict next season, All Exonians of course, hope the United will prove Victorious. The sides appear to be very evenly balanced, and the issue very open Both teams havebeen going very strong lately, if anything will win the match for Exeter, it will be the very fast pace of the forwards, for the United possesssome very speedy men in these positions, To wit Mermogen, Davey and Bailey, Simmons will want a good deal of beating if heis anything like his best form, Edmondson and Mortimer, at the back are a fine pair. It will be advisable in a big match like this for Edmondson, on all occasions to clear first time and not try to run too much with the ball. The play of the three United Halves is a very good feature of the team. It appears that quite a number of Rugby followers have now become warm supporters of the "Soccer" code, and of Exeter United. They seldom see a match on the County Ground these days, whereas, they used to be found nearly every Saturday there. The Rugby club, did not act very wisely, or so it would seen, when they decided that they would for certain matches, impose an extra charge, and as a consequence, some of their supporters have transferred their interest to the Association game, and continued to patronise it.

SATURDAY 23rd APRIL 1898,
DEVON SENIOR CUP FINAL,
At the Rectory Field, Devonport,

15th COMPANY ROYAL ARTILLERY 2,
Gyles; Dowling, Jones; Hay, Scott, Ryan; Wallis, Marchant, Chambers, Slater, Bond,
EXETER UNITED 1.
Simmons; Mortimer, Edmondson; Askam, Conry, Oliver; Davey, Coles, Edwards, Mermogen, Bailey.
Scorers
R, A, Chambers, Marchant,
Exeter United Edwards.

In brilliant weather and before about 600 spectators, the Royal Artillery facing the sun, commenced operation and immediately took the ball down the field, a goal kick to Exeter resulting. Play went to midfield on the kick out, and the Exeter halves were on the defensive till they got a free kick for offside, and when the forwards got possession, Edwards and Coles took the ball up in grand style, but Davey's final shot went wide. From the kick out Conry obtained and after some tricky dribbling passed to Bailey, who was stopped by Dowling, Exeter continued to press through Edwards and Coles, but the move broke down when Bailey failed to centre near the goalline. The Artillery forwards went off in a fine dribble and a good shot by Slater was saved by Simmons, Edwards next secured the ball from a throw in and passed to Davey, who made an excellent run, but was eventually stopped by Dowling, When the soldiers began to press, Bond and Chambers executed a clever piece of dribbling, Simmons having to save from Marchant, Jones cleared for the Aretillery in the next Exeter attack, with Edwards leading the rush, and at half time the score sheet was still blank,

Exeter had the best of matters in the 2nd half, but ultimately lost by two goals (Chambers and Marchant) to one (Edwards). The 2nd goal of theRoyal Artillery was scored in thge last minute of the game. It was a grand match watched by a large crowd, and although Exeter lost they can take credit to being the nearest of any from this City in carrying off the cup. There was in fact, no doubt in the minds of the spectators that the better team lost. 

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