ECFC 1-3 Norwich City
Scorer: Kirk
Attendance: 3000



Saturday, February 9th.

EXETER CITY 1 (Kirk)
NORWICH CITY 2 (Earl, Jackson.)

Played at St James's Park.
Attendance: 3,000.

EXETER Bailey; Coleburne, Charlton;
McIntosh, Crompton, Crawshaw;
Lievesley, Kirk, Batten, Davis, Shelton.

NORWICH:
Williamson Hope, Sturgess;
Bradbrook, Murphy, Earl;
Austin, Banks, Hannah, Jackson, Stoakes.

Referee:- Mr T.J.Duke, of London. Linesmen: Messrs R.J.Kidby and A.F.Davis.

DESCRIPTION

Exeter City, out of the Cup and bottom of the League, made a few more team changes in the hope of getting a winning side. The centre-forward position was entrusted to Batten, with Davis in his original position, inside-left, and Kirk, now fit, resuming as Lievesley's partner on the right.

The Norwich inside right was J.Banks, a member of the 'Spurs F.A.Cup-winning team of 1921, and at left-back was Alf.Sturgess, the English International, formerly with Sheffield United.

The weather was showery, but the ground was firm beneath the top surface, which was liberally sprinkled with sawdust and sand. Norwich City came out first looking very smart in the new colours; white shirts with canary badge on the left breast, and dark blue knickers.

Coleburne won the toss, and Exeter defended the town end in the first half. The ground was evidently greasier than it had looked, and the players soon began "slipping and sliding." Banks, in the first Norwich attack, was neatly robbed by Charlton, who retuened the ball to the half-way line, and Davis and Lievesley combined well to create an opening for Batten, whose shot went over the crossbar. Norwich attacked again and Bailey saved from Banks. In the middle of the field Shelton broke clear of the defence, and passed forward to Lievesley, whose centre dropped just right for Kirk to dash in alongside Davis, and between them bundle the ball and goalkeeper into the net. The game was then 12 minutes old.

This was followed by some lively play by the Canaries, but the play returned to the Norwich territory, and Kirk provided Batten with a good opening, which was lost through Batten's lack of pace. Both goalkeepers were in action subsequently, Bailey saving from Hannah and Williamson from Kirk and Lievesley.

NORWICH SPRING A SURPRISE

The Norwich defence was continuously under pressure, and their only relief came from occasional quick raids by Austin.

At half time the score was:
Exeter City 1 Norwich City 0.

Exeter continued to throw away good chances of increasing the lead, although Shelton created some excitement with a free kick which beat Williamson but was headed out from under the bar by Sturgess, who had dropped back to cover the goal.

Exeter still maintained heavy pressure on the Norwich defence, but Hope and Sturgess were in resolute mood and refused to give in. Towards the close Exeter slackened their efforts, and Norwich began to attack more frequently, Hannah and Banks putting Bailey to the test.

With two minutes of the match remaining the game underwent a sudden change, and Norwich not only drew level but took the lead. Bailey left his goal to punch out a centre from Banks, and Earl, with a first-time volley, lifted the ball over the heads of the players in the penalty area and into the unguarded net. Less than thirty seconds afterwards Jackson added another goal for Norwich with Bailey standing still. There was barely time for the ball to be kicked-off again before the final whistle blew, and the City must have realised then that they had literally thrown away the game which had seemed absolutely safe. It was a tragedy.

LLANELLY v. CITY RESERVES

Southern League 

Llanelly, who were without Marshall, Reilly, and Goldie, beat Exeter City Reserves by a goal to nil in Wales; the occasion was the return Southern League match between the clubs. The winning goal was scored fifteen minutes from the finish by Watt from a centre by Cartwright.

Exeter City Reserves, who travelled yesterday and remained in Swansea overnight, were represented by;

Pavey Pollard and Flynn; Murray, Gilchrist, and Potter; Dockray, Gallogley, Wray, Lowson, and Lendon.