TOMORROW'S SOCCER

Good Fare at St. James Park, Exeter Football, as a form of public entertainment. returns to St. James Park, Exeter, tomorrow after an interval of six weeks.

Friernhay, reigning champions of the Exeter and District League's Premier Division, meet an Army team which, according to accounts, is more than useful. A good game is expected, and Soccer followers in the City will doubtless welcome the chance of once more seeing a football match.

Friernhay will be without Liddle and Escott. Their team reads: Godbeer: John son, Radford; Crees, Allison, Collett; Pope, Thorn, Bluek, Branton, Godfrey. Kick-off 5 p.m. Admission od and 1s.

St. Mark's, who will continue to use the Wear Barton ground at Countess Wear, are holding a practice match to-morrow. Most of the old members are available until they become liable for military service, but newcomers without a club will be welcomed, and are asked to take part in tomorrow's trial.

SOCCER IN EXETER AGAIN

But it was Expensive for Friernhay!

ARMY XI. DEFEATED (By "NOMAD.")

To one new football 30s. By gate receipts nil. Debit balance 30s. Such is the unhappy financial story of football's return to St. James's Park, Exeter, on Saturday, when Friernhay defeated an Army XI. by four goals to three.

Let the tale start from the beginning. When the match was arranged, it was agreed between the contracting parties that the charge of admission should be sixpence for the popular side and shilling for the grandstand. This was countermanded by higher authorities, who stated in the most definite terms that no gate money could be taken.

Between five and six hundred football fans, Soccerless for six weeks, turned up for the match. All were admitted free-which was not so bad from their point of view.

The Friernhay club, expecting that a gate would be taken, not only advertised the match, but bought a brand new foot- ball to celebrate the occasion. The liabili- ties began to mount. Anticipated assets were not realised, and the crowning stroke of misfortune was when a player, making a hurried clear- ance, sliced the ball over the railway bank. That was the last that was seen of the ball, which may have bounced its unconcerned way down to Exmouth, or some other far off place by now. Another ball was found and the match ran its scheduled course.

HOW THE GAME WENT.

A very good first half, I thought, with the soldiers fully extending Exeter's best amateur team. Friernhay, however, established definite superiority late in the proceedings. Biggest cheer of the afternoon went to Woodcock, the Army centre half-back, when he made a wonderful solo burst and also the chance from which one of his side's goals was scored. Woodcock, who plays for Southampton Reserves in civilian life, told me he was invited to sign amateur forms for Exeter City more than twelve months ago. Scorers were: Bluck (2), Allison and Thorn for Friernhay, and Allen and Chambers (2) for the Army.

ST. JAMES'S PARK CLOSED.

News reached me to-day that the East Devon Cup Final, left undecided from last season, will not take place at St. James's Park next Saturday, as previously fixed up. There seems to be a snag somewhere. So the match will be transferred to another venue, and that's that.

As to why St. James's Paril is taboo, that is not a matter which I can discuss. Presumably, the authorities who now have control of the ground have a very sound reason. Yet the County Ground, which is being used for a purpose similar to St. James's during the week, continues to be available for sporting fixtures on Saturdays. Don't think I have any quarrel about that. What does strike one as unfortunate is that St James's Park, the natural home of Association football in Exeter for upwards of 30 years, should be closed.