SATURDAY 26th DECEMBER 1903.

FRIENDLY,

St Sidwell's United 0-0 Plympton 

Team
Robinson; Aplin, Ashford; Davidson, Gilbert, Morgan; Sellick, Russell, Thomas, Eveleigh, Fenwick,


St Sidwell's United Res. 1-0  Culm Valley,
at Silverton).

Team - Cann; Ireland, Peters; Pym, Worner, Hawkey; Pearse, West, Andrews, Aplin, Another.

Culm Valley.
Team -T. Glass; F. W. Walland. J. R. Petre (capt.); W. Sanger, Dr. Miller, W. R. Maitland; R. Vinnicombe, H. Crispin, J. H. Thompson, H. Abraham, J. Biss

Match Report by "Brer Rabbit"
Tiverton Gazzette and East Devon Herald 

CULM VALE FOOTBALL NOTES.

Taking advantage of an invitation from the genial Captain of the Culm Vale Association Football Club to witness and write a few reflec- tions upon their League match with St Sidwell's United Reserves, who hail from the county capital, I reached the splendid ground at Silverton Park (upon which Culm Vale show visitors how "soccer" should be played) at 10.30 a.m. on Boxing Day, at which time the match was timed to commence. I must emulate "Paul Bierley" in his usual grumble about late commencements at these winter games, but in this case the visitors were the delinquents. It appears that they should have travelled from Exeter by the 9.20 train, but as they did not get to St David's station until 10 minutes after this train had left, they had perforce to wait there until 11 o'clock. A telegram dispatched from Exeter at 9.30 reached the football ground at 11.24 a.m., just when everyone was beginning to get ready to go home.

The time from 10.30 until the arrival of the visitors was occupied with a grand match-Culm Vale v. The Spectators who numbered nearly 100. Culm Vale scored several goals, but all were disputed, so I really do not know how the match ended. One thing I do know, and that is that it was jolly cold waiting about, and I was greatly relieved to see the visitors arrive on the ground at 11.30.

The first item on the programme was a dispute, or rather a battle of words, as to whether the match should take place or not, seeing in the first place that short time would have to be played in order that certain players could catch certain trains, and in the second that the official referee (Mr. R. Davey) had not turned up. Eventually it was decided to play some sort of a game, upon the understanding that, win or lose, Culm Vale would enter a protest.

Having left my watch at home, I do not know what time play started, but I noticed that. St Sidwell's only had ten men, while Culm Vale lined up with the following players:-
Goal, T. Glass; backs, Petrie and Vinnicombe: half-backs, Sanger, Maitland, and Vicary; forwards, Lowman, Crispin, Thomson, Abrahams, and Biss.

Culm Vale with the wind at their back did not do so well as they ought, and the visitors soon shewed that, on the whole, they were the spright- lier lot. They put in a hot attack, but Thomson securing cleverly, gave Lowman a fine chance and the little man made a good run on the right wing, and gave St. Sidwell's a fright. Their left back, however, cleared finely. Then the visitors, by smart combination, took play rapidly to the other end, but Petrie coolly robbed them of the ball, and with a mighty kick placed Culm Vale again on the attack. This was nullified by an infringement and St. Sidwell's relieved. Then came a collision of heads, Thomson and a visitor seeing whether they were any good at "butting." The visiting player was stretched out, but Jack took his blow like a philosopher and calmly explained how it all happened. Maitland let the visitors through soon after this, but again Petrio was safe. Just after this, however, Petrie was penalised for fouling, but nothing came of the free awarded. Glass was now tested owing to good work by the St. Sidwell's forwards, but he cleared nicely and we breathed again. Culm Vale now infused more energy into their play and Jack Thomson put in two good shots, but nothing tangible resulted from either. The same player gave Lowman a good opportunity immediately afterwards, and he was only stopped after a brilliant run by a collision with the visitors' left back. Consequent upon this Lowman being the lighter man, suffered, and the game was stopped for a few minutes.

Upon resuming the best attack of this half took place, Thomson and Lowman showing good combination and the latter put in a "slinger" which the goal-keeper just managed to fist over the bar.

Halftime arrived with nothing scored.

Aided by the wind, St. Sidwell's pressed severely and, but for the stirling defence of Glass and Petrie, would have scored. The visitors' combination was very good, and I thought it would be only a matter of time for them to get a point or two. The smilling Mills manager evoked some laughter by advising one of the Vale players thuswise "Now then Jimmy, don't be afraid," and sure enough the advice was taken and Jimmy bucked up. Two corners fell to the visitors, the second of which nearly resulted in a goal, as "Horace" placed it beautifully. Petrie and Vinnicombe averted the danger, and Biss getting hold, showed a fine turn of speed on the left wing. His centre, however, was without result. Another run by the same player was the next item, but nothing came of the effort. For a time neither side could claim any advantage. but I noticed that while Lowman had dropped off somewhat, Thomson, Maitland and Abrahams were showing much improved form the first named doing a vast amount of work, but not being as well supported as he ought to have been. Glass, on two occasions, repulsed hot attacks by the visitors, and Vinnicombe lost his cap in trying a professional "header." Time was now fast approaching and, showing greater stamina, St. Sidwells repeatedly attacked. One of their forwards scored but being offside, the point was not allowed.

They became noisy hereabouts, but an irresistible forward movement on their part culminated in the wished-for goal, and this was the extent of the scoring. Soon after, the Referee rightly ordered one of the visitors off the ground for abusive language, but despite the fact that only nine men did duty, Culm Vale could not pierce the fine defence, and the visitors were left winners by one goal to nil.

Undoubtedly, the game was won by the better team as St. Sittwell possessed the right qualifications necessary for success - speed, trickiness, combination, and stamina and although much the lighter team, I could see from the commencement that they meant winning. No single player on their side stood out very prominently, and I consider this more to their credit than anything else 1 can say.

For Culm Vale, Petrie, Thomson, Lowman, Biss, Maitland, and Abrabams were the pick, but I should not omit to award a word of praise to Glass, who kept goal splendidly, and could not be blamed for the only goal scored.

With more combination forward, Culm Vale ought to be a tough nut for any club to crack. Undoubtedly Petrie (their captain) was the best man on the ground, and seems to be able to play back or half-back with equal facility. The chances of attack that he gave his forwards were numberless, and a friend said to me, "Culm Vale wants half a dozen men like Petrie." I quite concur with this opinion.

Thomson and Lowman worked splendidly in the forward rank, and for real hard work during the whole of the game I give the "bun" to Thomson. He has greatly improved since I last saw him. Lowman (better known in Rugby circles) adapts himself to the "soccer" code splendidly, and is quite an acrobat when occasion demands, and sometimes when occasion does not demand. Biss has fine speed, but I think I have seen him play better. Maitland was hardiy so clever as usual, but Abrahams will improve with time, unless I am mistaken. Vinnicombe shone in defence, and did some useful bits, but he lacks precision with his kicks. I should advise his being played regularly at back, as, in my opinion, he is too heavy for a forward. Crispin, Vicary, and Sanger rather disappointed me. Did they have too much pudding during the holiday, I wonder ?

It is possible that "Brer Rabbit" may pay some more visits to this ground, but it will have to be less cold than on this occasion, or he will prefer his cosy fireplace.