Match 11 |
ECFC v Southend United | 11th October 1924

SOUTHERN LEAGUE.
Bath City v City Reserves

EXETER CITY v. DEVON COUNTY
Friendly Wednesday 15th October

ECFC 0-1 Southend United
Attendance: 6000

Southend United without Billy Goodwin in the forward line did not seem right, somehow. The ex-Grecian centre forward, who broke his leg late last season, is reported to be now in training at Staveley, his home town. News of another City player, Jimmy Green, who broke his leg in a match at Watford two seasons ago, is that he has been training at St James's Park lately, and has fixed up for a month's trial with Swansea Town. Exeter City today reverted to what may be termed their regular formation as far as the defence and half-backs are concerned, and Tommy Smelt, the recent signing from Accrington Stanley, got his first chance, at centre-forward, with the "Chiefs" after his form with the Reserves is usually described as brilliant.

Saturday, October 11th.

Played at St. James's Park, Exeter.

EXETER CITY 0 SOUTHEND UNITED 1.

Last season: City 2 Southend 0.

Exeter City:
Bailey 
Pollard Charlton
Pullan Crompton Potter
Matthews Kirk Smelt Murray Compton

Referee: Mr F.Todman, of Croydon.

Macdonald Dobson McClelland Bissett Johnson
Edwards O'Rawe Jewhurst
Sayles Donnelly
Hayes
Southend United:

Charlton won the toss, and Exeter occupied the St James's Road end in the opening half. Charlton was knocked out almost with the first kick, getting in the way of a hefty clearance from Pollard, but he was quickly on the field again. Exeter started an attack, the ball being passed from Charlton to Potter, and then forward to Compton. Compton made ground to the corner flag and whipped over a nice centre, all along the carpet. Smelt overran the ball in his haste to do well on his first appearance, but Kirk, running in, sent it sky-high and away into the crowd up the big bank. In the next few minutes Southend showed aggressive symptoms, McClelland and Bissett being prominent in turn, but nothing materialised. Quickly the City went through to the other end, and again the ball was centred by Compton. Smelt was hemmed in, but he slipped the leather out to Matthews, whose shot struck the angle of the goal, and from the rebound Compton drove in a shot which was saved at full-length by Hayes.

A FAST AND INTERESTING GAME.

Exeter pressed hotly again, and Kirk was fouled just outside the penalty area. The "Shrimpers" formed up solidly in front of the ball as Pullan passed sideways to Kirk, whose shot sailed over the bar. Smelt next dribbled through from the half-way line, and gave to Compton, who raced forward at speed and was shouldered off the ball. There was an appeal by Exeter for a penalty kick, which the referee ignored.
Southend took up the running, and Bailey saved from McClelland and Johnson. The crowd warmed up enthusiastically to a fast and interesting game, on a firm pitch, played in the now rare but welcome bright autumn sunshine. Southend got away in a line two minutes before the interval, and McClelland passed neatly inside to Bissett, who inexplicably failed to beat Bailey from five yards, right in front of goal. At half-time the score remained:
City nil, Southend nil.

SECOND HALF.

The second period began with Kirk volleying the ball right out of the ground and into the street, and ended with McClelland, on the half way line, dribbling through and planting the ball in the City's net, well wide of Bailey. It amounted to yet another home defeat after having the majority of the play, and the chances of scoring goals. It was a bitterly disappointing result as far as Exeter City were concerned.

Attendance:- 6,000. 

SOUTHERN LEAGUE.
Bath City v City Reserves 


The Reserves recorded a splendid victory at the Bath City F.C. ground, where they scored three goals without reply from the home team. All three goals were obtained by Wilf.Lievesley.
The City Reserves were represented by:
Pavey; Coleburne and Flynn; Crawshaw, Jones, and Smith; Newman, Blackmore, Lievesley, Davis, and Shelton.

EXETER CITY v. DEVON COUNTY
Friendly 
The Amateurs Open the Scoring at St. James's Park

Wednesday 15th October 
Three late changes were made in the Devon County Association XI attack for the match with Exeter City at St. James's Park, played on Wednesday afternoon. Cox, of Plymouth St Thomas's, and Cann and Richards, of the R.N.Barracks, took the places of Jackman (Newton Town), and Bricknell and Bravin (Green Waves). In all other respects the side was the same as originally selected. Exeter City paid the visitors the compliment of fielding quite a strong team, and in dull, quiet weather the players lined up at 3.30 o'clock before an attendance of 1,500.
EXETER CITY 3
DEVON COUNTY XI 2.
 
Exeter City 
Bailey
Coleburne Flynn
Pullan Jones  Crawshaw
Matthews Smelt Lievesley Davis Compton
Captains: Flynn and Smith. 
Referee:- Mr C.W.Goad. Linesmen: 
Messrs C.W.King and F.C.Stevens.
Devon County X1
RICHARDS R.N.Bks.
BEER Bideford
CANN R.N.Bks 
COX Plymouth St. Thomas's
CHAMPION of R.N.Bks.
HUTCHINGS Friernhay
PICCERILLO Bideford
PAYNE Plymouth St Thomas's
SMITH R.H.A.
HEMMINGS Bideford
STONEMAN  Heavitree
Devon County, in green and white (the old Exeter City pattern) had evidently some supporters from North Devon, judging by the volume of cheering whenever one of the Bideford representatives got the ball. Piccerillo was warmly acclaimed for clever work right at the outset, and from his neat pass Cann swung out a good ball to the right wing, but Champion was stopped by Flynn. Good combination by Exeter ended in Davis heading over the bar. Then the County right wing got going, and from a free kick for hands Payne drove the ball in, but the shot was easily saved by Bailey. Matthews crossed the ball to Lievesley, who headed over, and then from another of Matthews's centres Lievesley missed the goal with a rousing shot from twelve yards.

COUNTY TAKE THE LEAD.

Eleven minutes had elapsed when Devon County took the lead. The ball, on the half way line, was fed to Beer by Cann, who attempted to get past the City backs. Confronted by Flynn, however, he passed to Champion, who shot direct for goal whilst running at speed, and beat Bailey in hollow fashion. Exciting play followed, Stoneman at full length saving from Compton and then from Lievesley. From one of many centres from Matthews, first Davis then Lievesley headed on to the crossbar, and eventually Stoneman cleared. A fierce shot by Matthews was punched out by the Devon 'keeper, and when Pullan drove the rebound for goal he scored a direct hit on a house in St James's Road. After thirty minutes Exeter equalised, Davis netting from Lievesley's pass at point-blank range.

SECOND HALF.

Ten minutes after the restart Compton wormed his way through and struck the goalpost, Davis netting from the rebound. Ten minutes later Davis completed the "hat-trick," thanks to a perfect pass from Smelt. The County goal was subjected to severe pressure throughout the second half, and several shots at goal were kept out by the frame work. The Devon players could not match the pace and combination of Exeter City, and play became very one-sided. Five minutes from the end, however, Cox scored for the County from a free-kick against Bailey, who had carried the ball beyond the penalty area.

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