ECFC 2-2 Bristol Rovers

FA Cup 5th Qualifying Round

Football Association Cup

EXETER CITY v BRISTOL ROVERS
A Thrilling Game Ends in a Draw

Details

Saturday, December 1st,
at St. James's Park.

EXETER CITY. 2 (Shelton, Matthews).

BRISTOL ROVERS 2 (Phillips, Woodhall)

Referee:- Mr W.E.Russell, of Swindon.

Linesmen : - Messrs F.R.Edwards and G.Rogers.

Official attendance:- 9,260.

CITY:
Bailey, Coleburne Flynn
Hunter McIntosh Gilchrist
Matthews Kirk Davis Gallogley Shelton

ROVERS:
Pattison Whatmore Woodhall Phillips Chance Walton Wragge Furniss Haydon Armitage Whatley

DESCRIPTION.

Soccer contests of such engrossing interest as today's match at St James's Park, when Exeter City and Bristol Rovers met to decide the Cup-tie in the fifth qualifying round of the annual competition, are rare enough in the history of any club. Locally, the match was second in importance and interest to only one other home engagement in the City club's story, the visit of Aston Villa in the season of 1913-14.

To both the Grecians and the Rovers today's match ranked as one of the utmost importance. Success in this and succeding rounds do their bit to enhance a club's reputation, carrying a substantial financial reward, and possibly influence the Authorities to grant exemption from the Qualifying Rounds next season.

St James's Park was officially reported to be in good condition this morning. The steady frost of the past week gave place to a drizzle last night, and this, coupled with a still atmosphere, it was hoped, promised a good accurate game of football. Exeter City struck a new note in regard to this game. For the first time in the history of the club, as far as a "home" match is concerned, all the players reported at the ground this morning, and adjourned to the Bude Hotel for lunch.

FIRST SIGNS OF CUP-TIE FEVER

At St James's Park everything was in readiness for a big "gate," and in addition to the ordinary accommodation some ring seats were provided for spectators inside the railings round the pitch.

The morning was not far advanced when the first signs of Cup-tie Fever made their appearance in the streets, and from mid-day until kick-off time there were busy scenes at the railway stations and on the main road entrances to the Devon Capital, excursionists coming in by rail, and others by motor and push-bike from all parts of the county.

Both clubs announced one change from the teams which played in the Football League match on the same ground three weeks ago. The City had Andy Flynn in place of Stanley Charlton at full-back, and the Rovers preferred Pattison to Lea for the outside-left berth.

THE PRELIMINARIES

Spirited patriotic selections by the specially be-ribboned City Military Band, under the conductorship of Mr George Newman, warmed the hearts of the crowd during the period of waiting, and the light drizzle from the lowering clouds was ignored. Buff patches in the centre of the field and before each goal showed where sawdust and sand had been strewn on the softest patches of ground. Tickets for "Today's Ball" found a ready sale at one penny each.

At two o'clock the crowd numbered five thousand, and there were many more on all the roads leading to the "Park."

So far the proceedings had been rather quiet, the excursionists from Bristol not yet having put in an appearance, but a big cheer went up when Hunter led out the Grecians at ten past two. Exeter City wore new red and white shirts for the occasion. The applause was renewed when a little girl ran on to the field and presented a black cat mascot to the City skipper. The Rovers followed quickly on the heels of the Exeter players. Hunter (as usual) won the toss and the City team held the St James's Road end in the first half.

THE GAME

The opening was highly sensational. Bristol made ground on the right wing and Chance crossed the ball, but Hunter dispossed him and took the leather to the half-way line at great speed, and Kirk carrying on the move, caught Haydon in two minds. "Jazzo" pushed past the Bristol left-back in grand style and centred perfectly for Shelton to run the ball into a gaping goal, Whatley having run out and missed the flying centre.

The Grecians thus were a goal up in less than a minute, and the large crowd "raised the roof."
It was a splendid start for Exeter City, and when the players, working at bewildering speed, continued to apply pressure and were rewarded with a corner the applause was almost continuous. But the corner was cleared, and Flynn kicked away a centre from Chance. A tremendous drive by Haydon from just over the half-way line was safely gathered by Bailey.

BRISTOL EQUALIZE

Five minutes had elapsed when the Rovers equalised. Pretty close passing by the inside trio won an opening for Phillips to run right through and net at point-blank range. Then the Rovers secured the lead. Their inside forwards got going again in the centre of the penalty area and Bailey ran out to clear with a flying kick. But unfortunately for the goalkeeper and for Exeter City the ball hit Woodhall and rebounded into the net from a distance of 15 yards. Hunter raced after the ball in a desperate effort to turn it aside but the leather was too quick for him, and the City skipper ended up at full length in the goal net with the ball.

EXCITEMENT AT A HIGH LEVEL

The set-back was disappointing, and for a few minutes the City looked as if they realised that they were "up against it." The team continued to work hard, but it had its poise. A sharp breakaway by Shelton, who middled accurately to Davis, looked very promising, and the centre-forward slipped the ball over to Kirk, whose shot was hard enough but wide of the posts. The crowd cheered hopefully when, following a period of pressure by Bristol, Shelton, starting from the half-way line, coaxed the ball past Armitage, and had a clear run through to the goal. Whatley had one chance in ten, but, brilliant goalkeeper that he is, he managed to cover the ball and dispossess Shelton, and Haydon kicked clear. Hunter foiled the next Bristol attack, and Exeter's skipper got the forwards going again. The excitement was kept at a high level all the time. A thunderous cross-shot by Kirk travelled inches beyond the far post, and Davis cleared the crossbar with another swift shot. At the other end of the field a strong header by Phillips was fielded by Bailey. The City forced a corner on the right, and from Matthews's flag-kick Kirk drove the ball high over the bar. An offside decision against Davis cut out another likely City attack, in which Gallogley fired the ball against the upright.

From a clever pass by Gallogley the attack was taken up again by Matthews, who raced nearly half the length of the field before delivering a "pile-driver" that sailed over the bar. Matthews then was seen in a hefty skirmish with two Bristol defenders, and forced a corner but injured himself in doing so. He recovered, however, in time to take the flag-kick himself. The ball was placed well, and Gallogley jumped and thrust it goalwards with his head. Matthews came rushing in from the right wing and levelled the scores with a shot that flew into the net at hurricane speed. The cheering was deafening!

Matthews continued in "star" form, and after another touch-line dribble swung the ball right across to the opposide side of the field for Shelton to take in his stride and shoot against the angle of the crossbar and upright. The leather rebounded to the penalty line and was hurriedly kicked into touch by Wragge.

Half-time:

EXETER CITY  2 BRISTOL ROVERS 2

It had been a truly wonderful first half, and the Cup - tie had lived up to, and in fact exceeded, all expectations. Both teams well deserved the interval "breather".

A corner fell to Exeter when play was resumed, but it was not productive, the ball ending up in the safe hands of Whatley. The Rovers made ground and Coleburne was compelled to find touch. In Bristol's next raid Furniss shot over when well placed. A clever pass from Hunter gave Davis possession, but the Plymothian kicked too far ahead and Whatley picked up and cleared to the half way line. Midfield play continued for the next few minutes, but the Rovers worked their way goalwards quietly and purposefully, and at this stage looked a better team than Exeter.

FLYNN MAKES THE CROWD GASP

The crowd gasped when Flynn kicked the ball back to Bailey with Woodhall in hot pursuit, but the goalkeeper anticipated the move and cleared safely enough. The Rovers were then penned in, but a free-kick against Kirk brought relief, and a quick transfer to the Exeter end brought Bailey into action to save from Chance. Then to the great dismay of the spectators Hunter, who had captained the Grecians in the manner born, and given splendid service throughout the proceedings, fell heavily. He appeared to have dislocated his shoulder, and was led off the field by the City trainer. This was indeed a hard blow for the City, with half an hour still to play. They adopted the one-back game.

A halt was then called for an injury to Pattison, and when the Bristolian had recovered a great cheer signalled the return to the fray of Hunter, as eager as ever. Whatley saved an excellent shot by Shelton close to the post.

A ROUSING CONTEST

Haydon conceded a corner in trying to stop Matthews, and from a position just inside the penalty area Gallogley lobbed the flag kick from Matthews narrowly over the bar, the ball landing on top of the net. Whatley saved from Kirk and Gilchrist, then Whatmore, who had been limping, made an amazing recovery, sprinting through almost the entire City defence till he encountered Flynn, and fell to a weighty shoulder charge, and the ball was spirited away. Fast and furious end to end play was the order now, each team making determined efforts to secure the lead. A free kick to the Rovers on the edge of the penalty area looked dangerous for Exeter, but all that followed was a shot over the top by Walton.

Haydon was injured in a concerted attack on the Bristol goal, but the ball was cleared, and at last the long whistle put a full stop to the most rousing and entertaining contest seen at Exeter for many a day. The replay will take place at Bristol Rovers' ground next Wednesday.

NOTES ON THE GAME 

The re-play will take place at Stapleton Road, on Wednesday, and there should be another fine game, under the control of Mr Russell. Exeter were unlucky not to win outright this afternoon. They gave a brilliant display, and that second goal against them was sheer misfortune. That the City know how to play the type of football to rattle the Bristol backs was very evident in the opening period, when Armitage and Haydon were unsteady.

Hunter, up to the time of his injury, played magnificently for the Grecians both in attack and defence. His strong and skilful play inspired the whole team. Flynn gave an exceedingly good full back display of how the game should be played, timing his tackles splendidly and kicking soundly, and as Charlton's suspension ends on Monday it will be interesting to see who is chosen to partner Coleburne in the replay.