ECFC 6-1 Brentford

Monday, December 28th 1925.

Scorers: Shelton, Blackmore (3) Matthews, Potter
Attendance: 7,000

Wild wet weather robbed Exeter City's holiday fixture against the "Bees" of Brentford at St James's Park this afternoon of something of its attraction. Exeter, who scored five goals in each match with Brentford last season, were fortunate in being able to field the team which took three points off the Argyle over Christmas. Brentford had Watson at outside right in place of Hendren, the famous cricketer.
Exeter City.
Bailey
Pollard Charlton
Pullan Potter Shelton
Matthews McDevitt Blackmore Lievesley Compton

Referee: Mr C.F.Moon, of Bristol.

Young Finlayson Allen Lane Watson
Walton Rae Noble
McClennon Donnelly
Thomson
Brentford

Exeter City's brilliant form in this match will be the talk of the town for weeks. Theirs was a wonderful display, and the score is a club record as far as post-war Soccer is concerned.

McDevitt and Blackmore were the men of the hour, but every other Grecian had a share in the victory, for it was the team work which counted most of all. Nothing finer than Blackmore's shooting has been seen on the ground, and Brentford were lucky in not suffering an even worse defeat. It has been a "Merry Christmas" indeed for Exeter City.

EXETER CITY 6 BRENTFORD 1.

There was a thrill right at the start, Allen getting through from a pass by Rae to shoot just outside the Exeter goal. Then Blackmore, with a beautiful pass to Matthews, set the Grecians in motion, and from Matthews' cross Compton drove the ball against the post. From midfield Lievesley put Blackmore through with a lovely pass, and the Silvertonian raced ahead at top speed and shook off the attempt by McClennon to challenge him, but then slid over in the mud just when a goal seemed certain. A moment later Blackmore was given another chance, by Compton, and shot famously, but Thomson jumped and tipped the flying leather over the bar. From Matthews's corner kick, however, Shelton opened the scoring with a first-time drive into the roof of the net, the game being then eight minutes old. The next event was a quick get-away by Watson from a position which looked suspiciously off-side, and the winger, being allowed to go on, took the ball close but shot outside.

A BEAUTIFUL LEFT FOOT SHOT.
Another rousing Exeter thrust followed quickly, and Compton, after clever work by Matthews, shot close by. Then a dangerous centre by Young ended up in Bailey's arms. The crowd cheered lustily when a pass by Mc Devitt was collected by Blackmore, who cleverly dribbled past McClennon and scored with a beautiful left foot shot well out of the reach of Thomson. Charlton kicked the ball from the toes of Lane when Watson put his partner through at the Exeter end. Then in a great breakaway by the Grecians, the ball was thumped against the foot of one of the posts by Matthews and rebounded right across the Brentford goal. It was a very lucky escape for the "Bees." Brentford were working the offside law with some success, but the Exeter forwards were always dangerous when in possession. Brilliant triangular play on the Exeter right wing ended in Thomson saving at full-length from Blackmore, and the goalkeeper had to drop in the mud again just afterwards to clear a header from Blackmore.

BLACKMORE DID THE "HAT TRICK."
The spectators were delighted with another beautiful goal following further skilful play by McDevitt and Matthews. Possession was given to Blackmore, who steered the ball past two opponents and then past Thomson as the goalkeeper came out in a forlorn hope. Brentford was over-run in the next few minutes, and their goal had several narrow and lucky escapes. Thomson saved from Matthews and Blackmore, and a header from Blackmore jussed missed the angle of the goal. Just before the interval Finlayson gave Young a splendid opening, and from the winger's centre Lane headed into the arms of the expectant Bailey. Straight from the goalkeeper's clearance the ball was trapped by Lievesley, who fed Matthews, and Blackmore, with a typical left foot drive from Matthews's centre, scored again for the Grecians, thereby completing his "hat trick." Brentford continued much harrassed and in sore straits until the interval, when the score was 4-nil. 

When play was resumed a backward pass to Thomson by Walton nearly brought another goal to the Grecians, for Blackmore got to the ball at the same moment as the goalkeeper and forced it from him. But on this occasion McClennon had dropped back to the goal line, and made a timely clearance from beneath the posts. Exeter came again, and Blackmore finished off an enterprising move with another splendid shot which brought Thomson to his knees again. The City went further ahead presently, however, Blackmore giving at clear field to Matthews, who sped goal-wards and shot into the far corner of the goal with Thomson hopelessly beaten.

AT LAST BRENTFORD SCORED.

Exeter set up another glorious attack when Lievesley sent Compton away, and the left winger's shot was punched out by Thomson, the ball reaching Donnelly, who turned it behind for a corner. This provided goal Number Six, the flag kick from Compton being headed strongly into the net by Potter. At last Brentford got a consolation goal. Shelton, under pressure from Watson, conceded a corner, and from Watson's flag kick the ball was headed just under the bar by Finlayson. Lievesley made a brilliant run past several opponents, but finally was fouled just outside the penalty area. The free kick was blocked by the Brentford defence. Brentford, who had been thoroughly overplayed, showed up favourably for a few minutes, and Bailey made a wonderful save from Allen. Then the City got going again, and Thomson had to clear excellent shots from Shelton and Matthews. Blackmore's dazzling footwork astonished the Brentford defenders, and Thomson was yet again in action, saving from Blackmore and Lievesley in rapid succession. In the last moment of play Blackmore struck the angle of the goal, and from the rebound McDevitt netted, but the whistle simultaneously blew for "time," and the goal did not count.