ECFC 0-1 Brighton & Hove Albion Attendance: 5000

Saturday, October 27th.

Played at St James's Park, Exeter.

City: Bailey; Coleburne and Charlton;
Hunter, McIntosh, and Gilchrist; Matthews, Gallogley, Edmondson, Murray, and Shelton.

Brighton: Hayes; Thompson and Jenkins; McAllister, Coomber, and Little; Nightingale, Neil, Cook, Hopkins, and Wilson.

Referee: Mr H.J.Weber, of London.

Description

Brighton and Hove Albion, who defeated the Grecians by one goal to nothing in Sussex last Saturday, journeyed westwards yesterday in the teeth of a gale, hoping that if the weather continued to be as boisterous they would have the luck of the toss to-day.

The storm continued, a gale of wind being the order of the day, and the crowd at St James's Park spent some brisk moments chasing headgear, or laughing at those who did, before the time of the kick off. The ground looked none the worse for last night's soaking, and but for the wind there would have been every prospect of a splendid contest.

Since the Grecians last played at home they have visited Luton and Brighton and lost each game by 1-nil. That the forwards would get going in style again was the fervent wish of every one of the City supporters this afternoon. The continued absence of Dockray, injured, and Kirk, a victim of influenza, made a deal of difference to the outlook, but Exeter were not without hope.

The only difference in the two teams as compared with last week was that Brighton had Thompson at full-back in place of Feebery, the veteran ex-Grecian. Coomber won the toss, and Edmondson started the ball with the City facing St James's Road and the gale. The first item of note was the nippiness of Edmondson, who got the ball away from Coomber and fed Matthews, but the winger, though not pressed, put the ball weakly behind.

From the goal-kick Wilson got away on the Brighton left, but he was brought to a halt by Charlton after he had tricked Coleburne and McIntosh. Gilchrist was conspicuous for good defensive work in the next moment when Cook seemed intent on giving Nightingale more of the ball than he did the opposite wing.

Presently the City made ground handsomely through Murray, there being a few lively passages in front of the Brighton goal, but with their defence all "at sea" they were still able to prevent Exeter from gaining anything like a tangible reward.

A Double Shock for Exeter City.

Brighton retaliated with a smart forward movement, showing that the line had life and understanding as well as speed, but the gale made the ball do capricious tricks, and Nightingale's centre, which was intended for Cook, sailed up the big bank among the crowd. Twenty minutes after the start Exeter received a double shock. Murray charged Cook too violently in the City penalty area, and the referee without hesitation awarded a spot-kick. Little took it, his shot giving Bailey no chance.

Straight from the restart Edmondson made an attempt to get near the Brighton goal, but was charged over and fell heavily. There was a loud clamour for a free-kick but the referee waved play on. Edmondson had to be carried off, appearing to be seriously injured, and Exeter continued with four forwards.

With the trainer busy in the dressing room, groundsman Orchard had to attend to Exeter's next casualty, Gallogley. It transpired that Edmondson had broken his collar-bone. He was taken by taxi to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

Brighton took up the running, McAllister and Cook in turn firing over the bar from easy positions, and right on half-time Cook put wide after Wilson had worked his way through the defence, and sent in a model centre from the vicinity of the corner-flag.

Second Half.

Charlton scented half a chance when the play recommenced, and he set out on a special equalising mission, but Thompson was alive to the move, and managed to dispossess the City full-back on the edge of the penalty area. The crowd waxed very enthusiastic as the City kept up the pressure, and Hayes saved under the bar a header from Matthews. The City had rearranged their forward line, with Shelton in the centre and Gilchrist employed in a roving commission.

Hunter thrilled the crowd with a wonderful touch-line dribble, a corner being forced, and they cheered again when a fearsome drive by Coleburne frpm just over the half-way line skidded through the mass of players and missed the goal by a yard.

Exeter's ten men fought bravely throughout the second half, but without being able to equalise. Brighton's defence was in desperate straits more than once, and some of their hard tackling was not at all to the liking of the crowd, neither were some of the decisions of the referee. Rain fell heavily during the last twenty minutes, and the play considerably deteriorated.

Southern League 

YEOVIL & PETTERS UNITED v CITY RESERVES.

Played at Yeovil in a gale of wind. Attendance 3,000.

Referee: Mr T.Kirby, of Chard.

Yeovil: Vallis; Watts, Day; Abbott, Thompson, Gregory; Garner, Warren, Pidgeon, Hayward, and Bruzas.

Exeter:- Pavey; Pollard, Flynn; Crawshaw, Crompton, Potter;
Lievesley, Davis, Wray, Lowson, and Lendon.

DESCRIPTION

Crompton won the toss, and Exeter played down the slope aided by a boisterous wind, Davis making the first notable contribution with a brilliant shot from a narrow angle, Vallis saving near the post. Crompton next tried a long shot, but the wind took the ball high over the bar.

Pavey saved twice from Bruzas, and at the Yeovil end Vallis made a brilliant interception from a hefty drive from Pollard.

After twenty-five minutes Yeovil got going in grand style, and Pavey saved from Garner on the goal-line. Warren rushed the goal keeper and charged him and the ball into the net.

Play in the second half was about even, but Pavey several times had to save from Bruzas. Exeter's best efforts to score were made by Crompton, but with no success.