ECFC 1-1 Aberdare Athletic  Attendance: 5000

GRECIANS TO SEEK RE-ELECTION:

Saturday, April 29, at St James's Park.

EXETER CITY 0-1 ABERDARE ATHLETIC 

Exeter City wound up their home Football League programme today with Aberdare Athletic as the visitors. The achievements of the "Darians" in this, their initial season in first-class company, is strongly reminiscent of those of the Grecians in their campaign in the old Southern League, 1908-09.

The Darians's regular team includes several players who have had Football League experience with other clubs, the best known being Duckworth (Blackburn Rovers), Myers (Bradford City), Martin (Stoke), Kellock (Plymouth Argyle), Danskin (Stockport County), and Hindmarsh (South Shields).

VICTORY IMPERATIVE

Exeter City, to whom victory was imperative if the bare chance of avoiding the necessity of seeking re-election to the Football League was to be avoided, made no change from the team which lost at Brentford last Saturday. The weather in Exeter this morning wa much the same as the Grecians experienced in London a week ago, steady rain being the order of the day. Luckily the rain stopped just before one o'clock, and the afternoon was mild and bright. Aberdare made three changes from the side which drew with Millwall last Saturday, F.Martin, Tompkinson, and James stepping into the positions vacated by Hughes, Turner, and Myers.

Rain threatened again as the time for the kick off approached, and the spectators numbered about five thousand. Aberdare, a very smart and fit looking team, were first out, closely followed by Crompton, leading the Grecians. Sheldon won the toss.

EXETER CITY
Fryer
Pollard MacKechnie
Rigby Mitton Crompton
Newman Kirk Bullock Vowles Dockray

Referee: Mr F. Todman.

Danskin James J.C.Martin Rogers Tompkinson
Sheldon Read F. Martin
Hindmarsh Price
Duckworth
ABERDARE

Bullock kicked off from the far end and in the first minute an attack was initiated by Kirk, and when the ball was returned from Newman the Plymothian headed over the bar.

Aberdare took play to the other end and gave the home defence one or two anxious moments, Pollard eventually clearing a centre from Tompkinson. In a further move Tompkinson got the better of Crompton and centred, and Fryer came out and fielded the ball.

Vowles, in the penalty area with only Duckworth to beat, drove wildly over, and smart triangular play on the City right saw the ball driven into the side netting by Kirk. Mitton injured his leg and had to be assisted off, and Exeter
formed up with Crompton at centre-half and Dockray on his left.

ABERDARE TAKE THE LEAD

After ten minutes Mitton returned. The game continued fast and exciting, with no trace of "end of the season" staleness. Fryer saved from Rogers under the crossbar, and a move to the Aberdare end gave Vowles a chance, but he was too slow.

Aberdare took the lead after half an hour's play. MacKechnie, close to the touch-line, attempted to clear, but kicked the ball against Tompkinson's legs. This gave the Darian a clear approach, he lost no time in cutting into the penalty area and beating Fryer with a swift low shot into the far corner of the goal. Exeter applied themselves to their task with increased effort, and a direct shot by Crompton from a free-kick twenty-five yards out, just missed the upright.

A neat movement by Aberdare saw Danskin pass to J.Martin, but the whistle sounded for offside as the centre-forward headed into the net. From a centre by Newman, Vowles rushed the ball into the goalmouth, where he was stopped by Duckworth.

Half-time: EXETER CITY 0-1 ABERDARE

Second Half.

There was some exciting play in the Aberdare goal area, but the defence survived. Duckworth made a good save from Bullock, and in another City attack Dockray fired the ball across the goal-mouth to Kirk, who shot first time, the ball hitting the upright.

Exeter continued to make praiseworthy efforts, Duckworth having to be alert to save on the line from Vowles. Exeter deserved to be at least on terms, according to the run of the play, and another dramatic save by Duckworth from Kirk gave the spectators food for thought.

Notes on the Game.

The match was crammed full of good football, and in this respect it contrasted strongly with the usual end of season canter. Exeter put up a game worthy of the occasion, and only the goalkeeping of Duckworth prevented them from winning.

The Aberdare goal seemed to bear a charmed life, and even the woodwork of the citadel appeared to be helping the defenders.

For Exeter City, of course, the result of this game spells good bye to their last chance of escaping from the 21st position in the Southern Section table, and the club must seek re-election at the League's annual meeting, along with Southend United.

BATH CITY v EXETER RESERVES.

In the return Southern League match at Twerton Park, the home club relied on the players who gained maximum points at Exeter a week ago. Exeter City Reserves made several changes.

Congdon made a nice effort early on but Bath City broke away and scored, through Burns, in eight minutes. The Reserves goal underwent severe pressure, Thomas hitting the bar. Dore burst through to net the ball in 25 minutes. Gaskell and Wilson set up magnificent defence, and Watson was very capable. Hill tried a shot, which was easily saved by Adams.

Half-time:
Bath City 2 City Reserves 0.

After the interval the City Reserves rearranged their team, and made a more even game of it.

Gaskell dispossessed Dore, and Watson saved from the centre - forward in another Bath City attack, and Exeter were again under pressure, three corners being yielded in less than a minute.
Exeter seldom made headway, the only shot in half play being one from Congdon. an hour of Watson was injured in stemming a rush by Dore, and was carried off. Thomas scored Bath City's third goal.

VISIT OF EXETER CITY TO DAWLISH 

The Dawlish A.F.C. finished up the season in great style by receiving a visit from Exeter City English League eleven on Wednesday, May 3rd, a match with the local team being played in the evening. The match was made possible largely through the good offices of Mr J.H.Lamacraft, by reason of his acquaintance with a prominent member of the City directorate. The Grecians paid the town the compliment of sending a full League team, and it was a great "red-letter day" for Dawlish enthusiasts.

Teams :

DAWLISH:
Aggett; Burrows and Lavis; Tooley, Back, and Lamacraft; Rutherford, Brock, Draper, Hopkins, and Sage.

CITY:
Fryer; Pollard and MacKechnie; Rigby, Mitton, and Figg; Newman, Kirk, Bullock, Vowles, and Dockray.

Every arrangement had been made by Mr H. Brimble, the Dawlish
hon. secretary, and the local committee, and despite the rather damp weather, they had the satisfaction of seeing a large crowd lining the ropes at the Teignmouth Road field.

Fortunately it kept dry for the match, and the ground proved to be in good condition. The professionals had first advantage of the slope. By means of their skilful ball control and positioning, they quickly had the home side guessing and "on the run" to try to stem their raids. In the opening movements they gave a wonderful exhibition at a great speed of the science of the game.

Goals soon began to come and the total for the first half was six, scored by Kirk (2), Bullock, Vowles (2), and Mitton. Most of them went into the net like shots from a gun, and Aggett only had a chance to save one of them. Dawlish could not respond, although the brightest bits of forward work were two neat breakaways, by Hopkins, which he could not round off, a good centre by Sage and another by Rutherford.
From one of these Draper had a good chance, but shot just off the target.

SECOND HALF

Changing over, Dawlish were helped by the slope. They came little more into the picture, and raised the enthusiasm of their followers by getting a goal. It was a really good piece of work, Draper and Hopkins between them putting Brock through to score with a fine shot.

Then the City extended themselves, and their crack inside-man, "Jazzo" Kirk, showing exceptional speed and dribbling powers, got through and scored two beautiful goals. In the meantime Aggett had stopped great shots from Bullock, Vowles, and Kirk. Then the crowd had another thrill. Sage, showing a rare turn of speed on the wing, made full use of a good pass and had Fryer beaten to the wide with a rising left-foot drive. It was a most creditable goal. Once or twice Rutherford was to the fore with smart work, but mostly the City halves and backs easily held up the home forwards. Bullock scored the ninth and last goal, the final score being: -
Exeter City 9, Dawlish 2.

Dawlish can congratulate themselves on being the only amateur side for the season to score two goals against Exeter City. The whole team made a very creditable show. Backs and half backs worked like Trojans and the forwards did wonders against the full strength of the City. Aggett was warmly complimented by the Exeter players for his fine goalkeeping in the second half.