Southend United 0-0 ECFC
Attendance: 3000


SOUTHEND UNITED V EXETER CITY

Southend United 0 Exeter City 0 

Played on Saturday, December 22nd,
at Southend.

Attendance 3,000.
Referee: Mr T.J.Duke, of London.

Southend:
Hall; W.B.Evans, Hodge; Dorey, Edwards, Dreyer; Johnson, Goodwin, McClelland, Slater, Davies.

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

DESCRIPTION

Three Cup-ties: - Goals: For, 5; against, 0.

Nine League matches: Goals: For, 0; against, 14.

When a team with an "away" record such as this sets out on a League mission there is always a splendid sporting chance that something good will turn up. One of these crossbar shatterers or "upright" gliders may take it into its head to cannon into the net. for once, instead of away into the crowd, and so count as a goal. And an away League goal in such circumstances as those of Exeter City would be sensational.

Although lacking the services of George Hunter for the first time this season, he having twisted his knee in the closing few minutes of last Saturday's Cup-tie at Sittingbourne, the Exeter team were decidedly optimistic yesterday afternoon, when they left St David's Station for Southend, with Murray as deputy captain. The party stayed overnight at the Ship Hotel.

Southend, who have only once been defeated at home this season, by Portsmouth, made the experiment of introducing McClelland, of the Reserves, at centre-forward, and Billy Goodwin moved over to inside-right to the exclusion of Dobson. Following yesterday's frost, rain set in today, which had the effect of making the turf both treacherous and greasy. There was only a small attendance at the start. Murray won the toss, and the ball was started by McClelland against a gusty wind. Davies at once made progress, and Charlton put in a faulty kick, the ball going out of play. Southend now forced a corner, but Johnson put behind. Kirk then shot wide for Exeter, and from the goal-kick Dreyer sent to Slater, who was stopped by a clever tackle by Charlton.

With heavy rain now falling and the player experiencing a great deal of difficulty in obtaining a foothold, the game was scrappy, but a nice run by Gallogley and Shelton looked promising for Exeter until it was nipped in the bud by Evans. A shot by Davis was headed out by Hodge, and in a later move Davis headed over the bar from a centre by Matthews.

There was little to choose between the two sides in this half, both Slater and Johnson having good shots saved by Bailey, while at the other end Hall fielded a stinging drive from Gilchrist.

Second Half.

Southend had by far the most of the play but failed to press home their advantage. The City still have to wait for their first League goal away from home, and for most of the second half they were overplayed by Southend. Coleburne and McIntosh were excellent defenders, but of the forwards only Matthews retained his form.

CITY RESERVES V FRIERNHAY.
At St James's Park, Exeter.
Friendly match.

Reserves: - Pavey; Pollard, Flynn; Fisher, Crompton, Potter; Lievesley, Lowson, Wray, Piercey, and Lendon.

Friernhay: - Tomkins; Jennings, Lovell; Fenwick, Glanville, Hutchings; Lamont, Evans, Hill, Camble, and Lincoln.

Referee:- Mr Watts.

The City Reserves XI included Michael Fisher, of Bristol, who was down on trial, and Harold Piercey, of Budleigh Salterton. Friernhay entrusted the centre forward position. W.Hill, the former Devon County outside-left, who has played for the City Reserves, while Camble and Lincoln are of course ex-Grecians.

Friernhay, the East Devon League champions, maintained the record of not having been beaten this season by holding the Exeter City Reserves to a draw in today's friendly at St James's Park.