EXETER CITY v. NORWICH CITY

Saturday, October 31st 1925.
Attendance 6000

Old friends met today on the playing pitch at St James's Park, in Stanley Charlton, the Exeter City captain, and J.Hannah, of Norwich City, fellow travellers on the F. A. tour of Australia last summer. There were six thousand spectators present when Charlton won the toss. There was a marked contrast in the appearance of the teams. Norwich looked very smart in their white shirts with a "V" back and front in yellow and green, and black knickers, but Exeter's red jerseys were very "washed out" looking.

EXETER CITY 0 NORWICH CITY 1.

Scorer: Jackson.

Captains:- Charlton and Hannah. Referee: Mr H.E.Gray, of London.

Exeter City: Pavey; Pollard, Charlton; Pullan, McDevitt, Shelton; Matthews, Kirk, Blackmore, Myers, Compton.

Norwich City 
Dennington; Wingham, Dempsey; Hannah, Murphy, Duffus; McKinney, Rogers, Jackson, Banks, Stoakes.

In checking Blackmore, who was Exeter's only dangerous forward, the Norwich City right back, Wingham, was badly injured, and had to be carried off the field. He took no further part in the game. This was after half an hour's play. It transpired that when Wingham reached the dressing room he was examined by Mr C.E.Bell, and it was found that his leg was broken. He was removed to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in the St John Ambulance, who had everything in readiness.

Jackson Scored for Norwich.
Five minutes after the commencement of the second half the Canaries broke away from their own side of the half-way line and scored a sensational goal. Stoakes lobbed the ball past Pollard and beat the Exeter back for speed. He recovered the ball and centred to Jackson, who beat Pavey with a fast shot just inside the upright. For Norwich City, their victory at St James's Park was a great and memorable occasion. Short-handed for an hour, and opposing a better football side, they yet won the points by virtue of a courageous and valiant defence, and a snap goal by their centre forward. The simplicity of that goal was astonishing. By their faulty forward work the Canaries had lulled the Exeter defence into a feeling of security, and neither Pollard or Charlton paid very particular attention to the move by Stoakes which cost Exeter so dearly. Norwich then protected their slender lead by strong and resolute football, and the almost continuous Exeter attacks were every time frustrated. Although they had so much of the play, the Exeter forwards, with the sole exception of Blackmore, contributed to their own downfall by weak finishing.

BIDEFORD v CITY RESERVES.
"Friendly" Guarantee Match.  

Exeter's visit to Bideford for a guarantee match attracted a large crowd to the Sports Ground in perfect weather. Exeter introduced three new players in Anderson, Salter, and Way, the latter having lately assisted South Molton. Bideford gained an early lead through Venables, but Casson quickly
equalised. Salter gave the City Reserves the lead, but ten minutes before half-time Page scored for Bideford. Less than a minute after the restart F.Green got through for Bideford, scoring what proved to be the winning goal. The game was magnificently fought out at a gruelling pace, and only the brilliance of Page (outside right) and the fine defensive play of the goalkeeper and backs (Slocombe, Smith and Hemmings) gave the home side the verdict. Exeter City's forwards were unable to get going, their luck being right out in the matter of shooting. Bailey was kept very busy, and did his work exceedingly well. Flynn was sound in defence and Newman easily the best forward.

Result: Bideford 3 City Reserves 2.