Swindon Town 0-1 ECFC
Scorer: Flynn
Attendance: 6000

Saturday, February 16th.

SWINDON TOWN 0
EXETER CITY 1 (Flynn)

Played at the Wiltshire County Ground, Swindon.

Attendance 6,000.

SWINDON: Randall; Dickinson, and Weston; Cooper, Bew, and Wareing; Denyer, Crossley, Daniel, Johnson, and Davies.

CITY:- Bailey; Pollard, and Charlton; Coleburne, McIntosh, and Gilchrist; Lievesley, Kirk, Flynn, Davis, and Dockray.

Referee:- Mr A.L.Grinstead.

DESCRIPTION

It was realised by the Exeter City supporters that only by some sort of football miracle could defeat be averted at the Wiltshire County Ground this afternoon. The Railwaymen are playing at the height of their form just now and doing well in Cup and League, having played twelve consecutive games without defeat. Exeter City, on the other hand, have not won a League match since November 10th, nor have they been credited with a goal away from home as yet, so far as League matches are concerned.

Drastic alterations were made in the team today, with all the four full-backs included, and Andy Flynn, who last season was pressed into service as a goalkeeper, now found himself at centre forward. Swindon had their full team out, but the absence of Harold Fleming was commented upon, and it appeared that the old International is being rested in view of the Cup-ties.

The afternoon was fine, but bitterly cold. The Grecians, in royal blue shirts, were first on the field, and Flynn kicked off facing weak sunshine, Coleburne having lost the toss to Wareing. and frequently had the home defence in trouble, but Dickinson and In the first half Exeter played the long passing game effectively Weston, well supported by Bew and his fellow half backs, put up a stubborn resistance to the lively raids of the Grecians. Shots by Flynn and Kirk were well saved by Randall. Dockray, returning to first-team duty after a lengthy absence, proved that he has lost none of his old attacking flair, and Lievesley also showed that his recent good form was no "flash in the pan." The City's inside forwards, however, failed to take advantage of many fine centres which were dropped over to them.

Swindon's form was well below their average, their forwards not relishing the keen tackling of Pollard and Charlton, and Bailey as a consequence had very little to do. Kirk and Flynn each had an excellent chance of opening the scoring account, but weak shooting let them down.

Second Half.

Swindon showed a great improvement in this half, setting up a dangerous raid on the Exeter goal in the first minute. This was repulsed by Charlton, but in subsequent play Davies fed several good centres to his inside men, and Bailey saved from Crossley and Johnson in quick succession.

After twenty-five minutes of the second half the "unbelievable" happened! Exeter City took the lead in an away match for the first time this season! Dockray broke away on the left, and centred for Flynn to shoot into the corner of the net.

Swindon made great efforts to equalise but Exeter concentrated on defence to hold on to their slender lead, and at the finish the Railwaymen had to admit to defeat for the first time in thirteen weeks, and the Grecians had won their first goal, and their first victory on foreign soil this season. And it was a full-back, and a reserve full-back at that, who accomplished what all the regular forwards have so far failed to do.

CITY RESERVES V SWINDON TOWN RESERVES.

Glorious weather prevailed today at St James's Park, where the Southern League match between the reserve teams of Exeter City and Swindon took place. Swindon appeared in red jerseys, and Exeter in all white.

Teams :
City Reserves: Pavey; Murray, Smith; Brown, Potter, and Crawshaw;
Wray, Batten, Blackmore, Lowson, and Lendon.

Swindon Reserves: Nash; Bentley, O'Neill; Reeve, Archer, and Dawe; Reynolds, Williams, Giles, Ing, and Thompson.

Referee:- Mr J.J.Hughes, of Plymouth.

There were several changes in the Exeter team as printed on the programme. Murray partnered Smith, of the Royal Horse Artillery at Topsham Barracks, and Devon County, at full-back, Brown, also of the R.H.A., operated at right half, Potter at centre half, Wray at outside right, Crawshaw at left half.

Blackmore, the amateur centre forward of Silverton, led the attack.

The first shot of the match was delivered by Wray, but wide of the posts, and a sharp raid led by Reynolds for Swindon was checked by Smith, the Army full-back. At the other end Batten looked good for a goal but was worried off the ball by O'Neill, who conceded a comer. This was wasted through Wray putting the flagkick over the top of the goal-net and behind on the opposite side. Blackmore then delighted the crowd with a glorious drive which Nash dived for and saved at full length.

Five minutes before half-time an error by Murray let Thompson through, and from the back line the ball was centred to Giles, who scored an easy goal. Exeter's best chance of equalising came during the second half, when they were awarded a penalty for hands against a Swindon player, but Lowson's spot-kick was saved by Nash. Batten and Blackmore put in the best shots for Exeter, but Nash saved, and Swindon won the match by a goal to nil.