ECFC 0-0 Plymouth Argyle
Attendance: 14000

Goalless Match

SEASON'S RECORD "GATE" AT ST JAMES'S PARK

Easter Monday, April 2nd.

EXETER CITY O PLYMOUTH ARGYLE O.

Last Season: City 0 Argyle 2. fective

There could not have been a fairer result to the bank holiday encounter between the two big Devon rivals. The game ended with the score-sheet blank, and one point apiece was a just reward for the efforts of both teams. The game was played before the biggest crowd of the season, almost fifteen thousand, and the capacity of the St James's Park ground was taxed to its limits.

Except for one tame patch in the middle of the second half, it proved a bright exposition of soccer, if somewhat reminiscent of "cup-tie" style. The absence of scoring was due largely to the excellent defence of both sides, although the forwards, when they had chances in the goalmouth, were not without fault. 

CITY
Pavey
Pollard Flynne 
Coopland Mitton Crompton 
Matthews Davis Crockford Mathieson Shelton

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

Baker Walker Fowler Raymond Corcoran
Eastwood Hill Logan
Russell Forbes
Craig
ARGYLE

At the beginning of the match Exeter City were not impressive, particularly in attack. Confidence was lacking, and they found the sprightly ball difficult to master. Mitton and the backs repulsed several sporadic attacks by the Argyle, and Crockford and company gradually found their feet, working at times in complete harmony. Matthews opened the way for Crockford to have a shot, but the ball was sent spinning over the bar, Davis having similar luck shortly afterwards. The Grecians remained in Argyle territory, and it only needed an opportune shot to put them ahead. Tense excitement was felt all round the ground when Matthews kicked hard ahead from touch, and Craig ran out. Davis went in to tackle, but Craig fell on the ball, and eventually cleared.

Pavey's Presence of Mind.

The Pilgrims then took up the attack, and Pavey was kept on the alert. The Plymouth forwards played a smart game individually, but they would have been more effective had Fowler paid more attention to keeping his line together.

A corner to Exeter led to the nearest approach to a goal that the match produced. Shelton placed his flag kick yards behind the forwards, and Russell was able to supply Fowler direct. Argyle's centre-forward cut through the City defence like a knife, and it was lucky for the Grecians that Pavey had the presence of mind to anticipate the danger quickly enough and advance from his goal. Fowler tried to tap the ball past him, but it hit his leg and went behind. The corner, like Shelton's at the other end, was cleared.

Scoring Chances Lost.

Both Pollard and Russell were spoken to by the referee for the rough tactics they employed once or twice, but on the whole it was a match sportingly played.

The second half was as evenly contested as the opening chapter had been, and a good many scoring chances went begging. It looked a certain goal for the Argyle when Raymond broke through and gave the ball to Corcoran. The little Scotch winger centred admirably, but Walker dived in too soon instead of heading the ball, which passed out to the opposite wing, and Baker was beaten to it by the ever watchful Pollard.

Players' Form.

Pavey had a good deal of work to do, and it was carried out in faultless manner. Pollard and Flynn were excellent full-backs. At half-back the City were well served, though Coopland could do with a little more speed. In the forward line Davis was a hard worker, Matthews a dashing and skilful winger, and Crockford a cool and discriminating leader.

Corcoran and Raymond formed a strong right wing for Plymouth, and Fowler in the second half did much good work. Hill was the best half-back, and Russell a tower of strength behind him.

EXETER CITY RESERVES v. SOUTHEND RESERVES

At St James's Park on Wednesday afternoon, April 4th, Exeter City Reserves were opposed by Southend United Reserves in a Southern League match.

The "Shrimpers" drew at Torquay, no score, on Monday, and had the misfortune to lose the services of their goalkeeper, Jennings, in the course of the second half. On Tuesday, at Home Park, they played Barnes in goal and were beaten by Plymouth Argyle Reserves by three goals to nil. Today they tried Humphries between the sticks, and the teams were:

CITY RESERVES:

Fryer; Southway and Ackroyd; Richards, Duke, and Wilson;
Newman, Camble, Parsons, Coopland, and Dockray.

SOUTHEND RESERVES:

Humphries; Draper and Barnes; Reid, Bissett, and White; Cox, Pidgeon, Lievesley, Mould, and Bradshaw.

The balance of play ruled in favour of Exeter, but the visitors were dangerous in smart raids from the centre line, and Lievesley sent in two fine shots, which Fryer saved.

At the other end a header by Coopland was kicked away by Barnes, and a first-timer by Parsons went just over the bar. The Southend Reserves played attractive football, and after Parsons had shot a foot wide for the Grecians, they applied steady pressure for some minutes and the home goal had some narrow escapes.

Half-time:
City Reserves 0 Southend Reserves 0.

Midway through the second half Draper handled in the penalty area, and Ackroyd scored from the spot-kick. The visitors' goal had some narrow escapes after this, and eight minutes before the end Coopland increased Exeter's lead.

Result: 
City Reserves 2 Southend United Reserves nil.