ECFC 2-1 Southend United
Scorers: Devlin, Kirk
Attendance: 4000

Saturday, December 9th,
at St James's Park.

CITY 2-1,SOUTHEND UNITED 
 
Last season: City 4 Southend 1.

Southend United, owing to a break-down on the Underground in London, missed their train at Paddington and only arrived at St David's Station at 3 o'clock. The match, which was timed to kick off at 2.30, began at 3.10 and ended at 4.40, the interval for half-time being dispensed with.

The great attraction locally was the prospect of seeing Billy Goodwin, the ex-Grecian, leading the Southend attack. Following the unexpected Cup defeat of last Saturday five team changes were announced by Exeter City. Dockray, Devlin, Clarke, and Fryer all returned to the side, whilst Andy Flynn received his first chance in his correct position, having previously played three times as a substitute goalkeeper in the cup-ties.

EXETER CITY
Fryer 
Pollard Flynn
Clarke Mitton Crompton
Matthews Kirk Devlin Mathieson Dockray

Referee: Mr R.Lethaby, of Bristol.

Davies Lievesley Goodwin Barnes Firth Booth Halley Woodland
Dellow Bissett
Hall
SOUTHEND UNITED

The Exeter City Military Band played "Auld Lang Syne" as aspecial tribute to Billy Goodwin, and the crowd, numbering about four thousand, and he was loudly cheered on his appearance with the Southend players. Goodwin was very prominent, too, in the early minutes of play. Mitton and the backs gave him very little his play, so much so that Exeter found they had all their work rope, but the old City forward infused any amount of dash into I cut out to hold the visitors in check. Goodwin sent Davies away with a pretty pass, and when the ball was returned headed it to Barnes, whose shot was saved on the line by Fryer. Nine minutes had elapsed when, with Southend pressing again Mitton and Flynn got in each other's way, and Mitton was unable to clear the ball as it dropped into the penalty area.

Quick as a flash Goodwin nipped in and scored with a moderate ground shot that entered the net just inside the upright, out of the reach of Fryer. Exeter's best effort of the first half was a bout of accurate first time passing between Mathieson and Dockray, but when the ball was returned to the centre Devlin failed to control it, and a good chance was lost.

At half-time Southend led by Goodwin's
goal to nil.

Ten minutes after the restart Flynn sent a free kick up the field to Devlin, who nearly shattered the net with a drive which left Hall absolutely helpless. Ten minutes later Devlin passed forward to Kirk, who bored his way through beautifully to score Exeter's second goal.

It was something new, and very pleasing, to see the Grecians at last getting goals at the St James's Road end of the ground.

SOUTHEND RESERVES v CITY RESERVES


The City Reserves' Southern League fixture at Southend took place in ideal weather. Exeter Reserves made several changes, and the Southend team included Captain Nicholas, the Corinthian and Essex County player, at outside-left.

Southend forced a corner which Ackroyd managed to clear, but weakly, and Trayler, securing the ball, drove a long, low shot past Pavey.

Newman and Camble, although the busier wing, were held in tow by Evans, the Welsh International left-back of Southend, while Vowles spoiled good chances by getting offside.

In half an hour the City equalised. Scuse got suddenly clear on the left and centred the ball nicely. Vowles took the pass on the run, and gave Waller no chance with a rising shot.

At half time the score was:
Southend 1, Exeter City 1.

Rigby had been taken off before the interval with a badly cut eye, but reappeared for the second half. The City goal had an early escape when Pidgeon struck the crossbar from three yards, but eventually Nicholas scored the winning goal for Southend.

City Reserves:-
Pavey; Ackroyd and Wilson; Rigby, Southway, and Litten; Newman, Camble, Vowles, Crockford, and Scuse.

MILLWALL RESERVES v EXETER CITY RESERVES

Plucky Fight for Southern League Points at New Cross

Monday, December 11th.

MILLWALL RESERVES 3-2 CITY RESERVES

At New Cross, in their return Southern League match against Millwall Reserves, Exeter City's second string greatly improved on their performance at home against the same opponents early in the season, when the Lions won a very lop-sided game by three clear goals.

The City were beaten again today, but only by three goals to two, and Ackroyd was off the field injured for half an hour in the second half.

Millwall's First Goal

Millwall opened the scoring after twenty-two minutes, when a pass from Anstiss was snapped up by Hankey, and with Pavey coming out of his goal the home inside-left shot hard for the corner of the net. Wilson made a good attempt to intercept the ball, but was unable to get to it.

Half-time:
Millwall Reserves 1, City Reserves 0.

Ackroyd Injured

Almost immediately after the change of ends Ackroyd was hurt, and had to be carried off. Anstiss scored twice in the next few minutes, giving Millwall a clear three goals' lead.

Exeter, however, redoubled their efforts, and with the return of Ackroyd more than held their own. Camble manoeuvred cleverly for an opening, and Crockford put the scoring touch on the movement, while five minutes afterwards Vowles got through with another goal, following a corner.

The Grecians strove hard for the equaliser, and the game was hotly contested right to the final whistle.