EXETER CITY v NORTH DEVON

Bright Exhibition Match at Exeter

Saturday, December 6 1919.

EXETER CITY 4 NORTH DEVON 0.

Exeter City were at home today to North Devon, the side which put up such a fine display in the mid-week exhibition match at Barnstaple recently, when the Grecians fielded a full Southern League eleven, and won by the odd goal in three.

The representative team was unchanged, but Exeter City made some interesting experiments, Henderson, a player from the north of England with Second Division experience, being given a trial at inside-left, whilst H.Brown, of Yeovil, figured at outside right. Potter deputised for Rigby, the City skipper, who had been injured in the match at Selhurst.

EXETER CITY
Pym
Coleburne Strettle
Potter Popplewell Mitton
Brown Makin Goodwin Henderson Dockray

Referee:- Mr J. Baker.

Clement Green Trebble Warren Southcombe Carter Hartnell Johns
Medcalf Marks
Horne 
NORTH DEVON


The wet and stormy weather and the early start affected the attendance adversely, and when the North Devon team entered the field in their light and dark blue jerseys and white knickers, at twenty-five past two o'clock, there were not more 800 spectators present, a poor contrast to the enthusiasm shown when the teams met on the Rose and Crown ground nearly three weeks ago.

However, a cheer went up when it was seen that Dick Pym, who was acting captain for the Grecians, had had the luck of the toss against Hartnell, the Torrington player. Pym elected to defend the St James 's Road end. From the kick off North Devon made tracks for the City goal. Trebble got the ball nicely out to Clement, who, though pressed by Coleburne, managed to send in a swerving cross-drive from which Southe ombe against the top of the upright and behind. Exeter retaliated in drove the leather bright fashion, and for some minutes the play was in the North Devon territory. Several corners were conceded on which were placed admirably by Dockray, but Horne, Medcalf, and their right, Marks offered a stubborn resistance, the goalkeeper especially proving very safe. After ten minutes' play Medcalf brought down Goodwin heavily just outside the penalty area, and a free-kick was awarded. Potter tried a first-time shot and struck the post of the upright, Goodwin scoring from the rebound.

Henderson next got through but shot straight at Horne, and a centre from Dockray was headed over the bar by Goodwin. Play was bright and interesting despite the soft turf and the boisterous wind. The North Devon forwards found themselves up against an uncomprising trio of half-backs in Potter, Popplewell and Mitton, nevertheless their movements were characterised by coolness and excellent judgment. Pym saved from Trebble, and Potter relieved pressure from Southcombe by kicking to touch.

North Devon Goal Bombarded.

After a spell of midfield play the North Devon goal came under a severe bombardment, and Horne, with plenty of opportunities of showing his skill, rose to the occasion in fine style. The City scored again after 35 minutes' play, Dockray utilised one of Henderson's many excellent passes to send in a low cross-drive from which Goodwin, only a couple of yards from the goal line, directed the ball past Horne and into the rigging, the custodian having absolutely no chance of stopping the shot.

Dockray then put in a lightning drive which Horne failed to hold, the ball bouncing from his hands against the inner side of the upright and back into the field of play. Just before half time Makin increased the City's lead by tapping the ball across the line after a powerful drive from Goodwin had been fisted out by Horne. North Devon made a sharp attack and Trebble shot too high, the ball clearing the crossbar by about six feet.

At the interval the score was:
Exeter City 3 North Devon 0.

Second Half.

Fifteen minutes of the second half had elapsed when Goodwin received a nice pass from Makin, and scored Exeter's fourth goal with a fine shot from the edge of the penalty area. Potter was badly injured, and had to be carried to the dressing-room. It transpired that he had been accidentally kicked on the knee, and it was feared that the joint was broken.