Brentford 1-0 ECFC
Attendance: 4,000

BRENTFORD v EXETER CITY

Saturday, November 24th.

Played at Griffin Park, Brentford. Attendance 4,000.

Brentford:
Young; Kell, Gower; Kerr, Inglis, James;
Garnish, Parkinson, Parker, Williams, Hendren.

Exeter City:- Bailey; Coleburne, Flynn; Hunter, McIntosh, Gilchrist;
Matthews, Kirk, Davis, Gallogley, Shelton.

Referee:- Mr F.Todman, of Croydon.

DESCRIPTION

Half-a-dozen consecutive defeats from September 10th onwards deepened the gloom on the playing field beneath the shadow of the Brentford Gas-works, but having fallen to the bottom of the Southern Section the "Bees" are on the wing again, and gathering honey which may prove invaluable later on. Their previous match at home, versus Portsmouth, was drawn, and the one before that, versus Southend United, was won.

Whatever else happened today one record had to be broken. The Brentford defence has been penetrated in every match to date, while the City attack thus far have failed to penetrate any defence in an away League game. The point was of course as to which of the two clubs would manage to depart from precedent.

The frost had risen when the Exeter City party reached London and the day was dull and misty.

George Hunter, who is even better at winning the toss than the old Exeter skipper, Jimmy Rigby, used to be, and he did the trick again today, setting Brentford to face a mild breeze in the first half. Coleburne put Exeter on the attack but Shelton sliced the ball over the goal-line.

Returning by way of the right wing Exeter nearly got a goal, Kirk missing by inches after Matthews had cleverly got through. Williams was instrumental in getting the home forwards on the move, but McIntosh intervened with a strong tackle. Then the City set up a brilliant attack at high speed, and Kell was lucky to get in the way of a cross-shot by Shelton. A free-kick against Davis for offside enabled the Bees to enter Exeter's territory, Parker finding an opening and going through unchallenged. He drove the ball in from point-blank range, only to see Bailey bring off the best save of the match so far. A few moments later Bailey produced another excellent save, tipping over the bar a shot by Williams.

With Gallogley displaying some of his best "Argyle" footwork the City were repeatedly in a strong attacking position, but the Bees were equal to all emergencies. Bailey punched out another shot from Williams, also one from Parker, taken at about 30 yards' range. At half-time nothing had been scored.

Second Half.

Within five minutes of the restart a free kick to Brentford was awarded just outside the Exeter penalty area for a very doubtful case of "hands" against Gilchrist. The Grecians formed a barrier, so that a direct shot was hopeless, and the defence prevailed.

Exeter redoubled their efforts, and from Hunter's ground pass Matthews got away unopposed, but his centre was cut out by Young. The second half was eight minutes old when Brentford took the lead through Williams. A free kick against Gilchrist enabled Garnish to centre the ball, which was headed away by McIntosh, but James lobbed it back to the goalmouth, and Williams, turning sharply, beat Bailey with a splendid shot from twelve yards' range.

Exeter Saved by Bailey.

The Grecians took up the running for the next few minutes, but Young was not unduly troubled. In fact it was Brentford who nearly got another goal, and Bailey was again Exeter's saviour when he fell on a close range shot by Parker. Two Brentford forwards fell on the goalkeeper, and Exeter received a free kick.

Exeter were a trifle unlucky to be in arrears on the balance of play at this stage, although Brentford carried more weight in their attacks, and the City's shooting was poor, to say the least. Exeter stuck to their guns, however, and Shelton had exceedingly bad luck in shooting forcefully against the crossbar, the ball coming out. Parker fed his extreme wing men with sound judgment, and they were quick to respond with some nicely placed centres, but the Exeter defence was sound, with Bailey in the sort of form which inspires confidence.

Hendren and Hunter fought several sporting duels out near the touch-line, and generally speaking the honours rested with Exeter's skipper. Corners were won by each team in turn, but in gathering gloom and mist the play became difficult to follow. However, the City continued very persistently, and a hefty shot by Gilchrist beat Young but was stopped by the crossbar.

Five minutes from the end the goalposts were struck once more, this time by Matthews, and the issue remained in doubt right up to the final whistle. Exeter have still to open their scoring account on foreign soil this season.

CITY RESERVES v LLANELLY.

Southern League.

Exeter City Reserves 2 (MURRAY LIEVESLEY)
Llanelly 1 (REILLY (PENALTY))


Referee: Mr C.F.Moon, of Bristol.

City Reserves: - Pavey; Pollard and Smith; Crawshaw, Crompton, and Symes; Lievesley, Murray, Potter, Lowson, and Lendon.

Llanelly: Abbott; Marshall, and Hang; McLaughlin, Reilly, and Kettleborough; Morris, Watts, Power, Evans, and Cartwright.

DESCRIPTION

Llanelly had all their "stars" on parade at St James's Park this afternoon. Jock Marshall, the captain, formerly of St. Mirren and Middlesbrough, and a Scottish International, was two seasons ago described as the "best full-back in the world." The Middlesbrough club paid £2,000 for his transfer in November 1919. Frank Reilly, the Irish centre-half, was transferred to Blackburn Rovers shortly after the War along with David Rollo, and was Blackburn's regular pivot last season, making 29 First League appearances. G.Power is the former Sunderland centre-forward. The Grecians played Smith, of the R.H.A. at left-back, Potter, the usual left-half, at centre-forward, and Symes, of Heavitree United,

at left-half. Murray opened the scoring with a shot which entered the net off the underside of the crossbar after Abbott had saved at full length from Lendon, and the City led by this goal at half-time. Lievesley increased the lead midway through the second half.

Five minutes before the end Llanelly were awarded a penalty for hands against Crompton, and from the spot kick Reilly flashed the ball high into the rigging at express speed, Pavey having not the slightest chance.

Exeter attacked strongly in the last few minutes, and Murray sent in a fine shot which Abbott managed to save.