ECFC 3-1 Bristol Rovers
Scorers: Matthews (pen), Davis (2) Attendance: 5000

EXETER CITY v. BRISTOL ROVERS

Details

Saturday, November 10th,
at St James's Park, Exeter.

EXETER CITY 3 (Matthews (penalty), Davis 2.)

BRISTOL ROVERS 1 (Walton)


Referee: Mr E.C.Sambrook, of Swansea.

City: Bailey; Coleburne and Charlton; Hunter, McIntosh, and Gilchrist; Matthews, Kirk, Davis, Gallogley, and Shelton.

Rovers:- Whatley; Armitage and Haydon; Furniss, Wragge, and Walton; Chance, Phillips, Woodhall, Whatmore, and Lea.

Attendance 5,000.

Description

For the third Saturday in succession there was a high wind to affect the possibilities of football, but this time it was from a North-Easterly direction and carried with it any icy blast. Hopes ran high that the Grecians would improve on the handsome performance of last week at Stapleton Road, and by netting oftener than the Rovers, break their succession of goal-less afternoons. Hunter continued his useful habit of winning the toss, and set the Rovers to defend the St James's Road end, with the sun behind them but facing the gusty wind.

Score Opened From the Penalty Spot.

Wragge cleared to touch Exeter's initial burst, and when the Grecians next attacked Davis placed wide of the post. The Rovers, on their first crossing of the half-way line, were thrown offside twice in a minute by Coleburne and Charlton.

A nice pass from Kirk saw Matthews speed away up the wing, and swing across a beautiful low centre, but Wragge was quickly across to boot the ball away, and an attack by the Rovers followed which gave you Exeter some anxiety, Chance placing the leather right across the goalmouth. Phillips, however, was late in reaching it, and the home defence was relieved by a hefty clearance from Charlton. A swift breakaway by the Grecians followed, and Gallogley and Davis were clean through when Davis's legs were hooked, a penalty being immediately signalled by the referee.

Matthews took the kick, and scored with a fine shot. Less than two minutes later Charlton was beaten by Woodhall but made a very quick recovery, and was on hand to tackle Phillips. The ball hit Charlton's foot. One of the Rovers shouted for "hands," and to the consternation of the crowd and the Exeter players another penalty, this time to Bristol, was given. Phillips, the star sharp-shooter of the Rovers, was entrusted with the kick, and justice was surely done when he placed the ball wide of the post.

Exeter's Second Goal.

The game was only twelve minutes old when Exeter scored a second time. Shelton and Gallogley worked their way down on the left wing, and the ball was slipped neatly through the middle. Whatley dashed out of goal to clear, but Davis got a foot to the ball, and with a smart flick stabbed it into the empty net, the goalkeeper falling on top of him in the process.

Bristol Rovers were by no means discouraged, Woodhall heading over the bar on one occasion, and McIntosh, on another, sprinting across and kicking the ball right off Whatmore's toes.

A brilliant effort by Kirk ended in his blazing the ball wildly right over the goal and out into St James's Road, where it hit the telegraph wires. Davis spoiled all his otherwise good work by being caught too often offside, and Exeter's best feature at this stage was Gallogley's genius in ball control and dribbling. A header by Davis from Hunter's centre was saved brilliantly by Whatley, while at the other end Bailey came out and kicked the ball off Woodhall's feet, right into touch.

Half-time City 2 Rovers nil.

The Second Half.

It was revealed that when the penalty against Exeter was given the ball was kicked against Coleburne's right hand as he was going across to cover Charlton. He had no chance of getting out of the way. The second half began with the Rovers on the attack, Bailey clearing from Phillips and Gilchrist from Woodhall. More dangerous was a header from Davis at the Bristol end, from Hunter's pass. It was saved on the goal-line by Whatley, who had to be very quick to get out of Kirk's way, "Jazzo" all but shouldering him into the net with the ball. Coleburne and Phillips were hurt in a collision, but both men quickly resumed, and Matthews was seen to be limping slightly.

Another sensational raid by Kirk in full flight just failed to succeed, Whatley again intervening at the last gasp, so to speak. At the City end Chance narrowly missed turning into the net a ball from Lea. But midway through the second half the issue was placed beyond doubt, for Matthews centred from near the corner flag, and Davis slipped the ball coolly past Whatley for the City's third goal of the afternoon. Through Shelton holding the ball too long when he had a chance of initiating another attack the Rovers got away, and Walton shot strongly past Bailey and into the Exeter net.

ROVERS RESERVES v CITY RESERVES.
Southern League.

Played at Stapleton Road this afternoon in fine weather. The old "Bristol Rover," Ellis Crompton, received a special ovation when he led out the City team.

The Rovers attacked from the start but Flynn cleared well, and following a spell of midfield play Exeter got away but Lendon shot high over the bar from a good pass by Murray. At the Exeter end Pavey saved a hard shot from Gough, and when the Grecians attacked again Murphy punched out from Murray. Just afterwards he saved at full length from Lowson. The City fell away towards the interval, and Crompton had to play a strong defensive role.

Half-time: Rovers 0 City 0.

Second Half.

Bristol at once attacked, Pavey saving from Gough. The Grecians took play to the other end but were driven back, and Crompton then saved a certain goal, kicking the ball out from underneath the bar with Pavey beaten.

Against the run of the game Lendon gave Exeter Reserves the lead, his fierce shot giving Murphy no chance, but five minutes later a fine centre by Hammond was met by Gough, who equalised.

Potter scored a goal which was disallowed account of an infringement, and Lowson earned applause for a wonderfully placed shot which just skimmed the crossbar. Smeaton, Rose, and Hammond were untiring in their efforts for Bristol, while Lendon was the City's most dangerous forward. Nothing further was scored, and the match ended drawn, one goal to each side.

City team :-
Pavey; Pollard, Flynn; Crawshaw, Crompton, Potter; Lievesley, Murray, Wray, Lowson, and Lendon.