ECFC 3-2 Reading

Saturday, January 2nd 1926.

After a week of rain laden gales Exeter City would indeed have been fortunate if they had had fine weather for their League match with Reading at St James's Park. Rain came on heavily as the crowd was assembling, and a wet afternoon seemed more than likely.

Exeter City: Bailey Pollard Charlton Pullan Potter Shelton Matthews McDevitt Blackmore Lievesley Compton

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

Robson Tinsley Kerr Braithwaite Smith Evans Messer Inglis
McConnell Eggo
Duckworth
Reading:

The referee picked his way through the muddy centre circle very gingerly, and then decided that the toss-up would have to be taken on the firmer ground near the touch-line. Charlton beat Eggo, and Exeter City defender the St James's Road end in the first half. The Grecians added to their laurels by defeating Reading by three goals to two. This was in fact an exact reversal of the score when the sides met at Elm Park on the opening day of the season.

READING THE BETTER MIDFIELD COMBINATION.

The "Biscuitmen" were the first away, and Charlton had a hot duel with Smith before he could clear. Matthews and Compton forced the pace, but found McConnell and Eggo safe, and Kerr and Smith gave Pollard and Charlton a severe testing before Compton again got on the move to test Duckworth with a shot which was beautifully saved. Reading were rather the better combination in midfield, but Exeter came nearer to scoring. Matthews nearly beat Duckworth, and then Compton had the goal at his mercy, but got stuck in the mud in the goalmouth. Compton had two more chances, but his shots went over the bar each time. At the other end Smith had a glorious opportunity, but drove the leather straight at Bailey. The City improved in combination, and when the game was twenty-one minutes old McDevitt headed a brilliant goal, from Shelton's centre. Three minutes later the City went further ahead. Shelton, who seems to have discovered a new lease of life as a half-back, nipped in to rob Braithwaite, and then pushed the ball forward to Compton. The left winger carried on, cutting in towards goal, and drew Duckworth out of position. With the Reading goal unoccupied Compton slipped the ball across to Lievesley, who steered it into the net from two yards' range. Reading, who are this season unaccustomed to having two goals put into their net in such short time, fought back, and from Robson's ground pass Smith scored comfortably, near the upright.

Half-time: Exeter City 2 Reading 1.

The second half was devoid of excitement for a long time, and with the rain coming down in torrents and most of them covered from head to toe in mud the players were unrecognisable. Two minutes from the end Lievesley netted Exeter's third goal, thus placing the issue beyond doubt, but there was still time for Reading to get a goal. With the City defence all at sea Smith followed up a centre from Robson and rammed the ball into the back of the net.

Final: Exeter City 3 Reading 2.

SOUTHERN LEAGUE:
YEOVIL v CITY RESERVES.

Two well matched teams shared the honours and the goals at Yeovil in the opening 45 minutes, Pidgeon and Kirk both finding the net. Edwards gave Yeovil the lead shortly after the start of the second half, but Myers levelled matters for the City Reserves. Yeovil lasted the pace on the muddy ground better than Exeter, and further goals were added towards the close by Gallon, penalty kick, and Edwards.

Final Score 
Yeovil and Petters 4
Exeter City Reserves 2.

Saturday, January 9th 1926.
FRIENDLY MATCH AT ST JAMES'S PARK
Exeter City v. Bristol League

The Soccer feature locally this afternoon was the "friendly" match at St James's Park between Exeter City and the Bristol & Suburban League XI. The visitors made numerous changes from the side which was originally announced, while Exeter had Percy Newberry instead of McDevitt at inside right.

Exeter City.
Bailey 
Pollard Charlton
Pullan Potter Down
Matthews Newberry Blackmore Lievesley Compton

Referee: Mr A.W.Lamacraft, of Exeter.

Geddes Duffy Sampson Miles Dominy
Holver Higham Cuff
Sparkes Pearse
Barrett
Bristol League.

The Bristolians opened briskly, and Bailey had to cut out centres from Geddes and Dominy before the Grecians got to close quarters. Then Barrett saved from Newberry and Blackmore, and a little later Blackmore rattled the crossbar with a "left-footer."
The opening goal came soon afterwards. Matthews, making ground at a fast speed, crossed the ball to Lievesley, whose scoring header was well out of the goalkeeper's reach.

A SPLENDID CROSS SHOT.
Play was bright without being too serious, and the crowd of 3,000 applauded the efforts of the players impartially. Geddes put in a manoeuvring by Matthews the ball was given to Newberry, who scored good run and shot on the Bristol left, and then, after some quick with a splendid cross shot from 15 yards' range. The visitors had a very useful pair of backs, while Higham, their centre half, also shaped well. A smart run by Miles came to grief, but Bailey won applause for an excellent clearance from Geddes. In the next few minutes continuous pressure was exerted by the City, and Blackmore's tricky footwork kept the crowd entertained, though Barrett saved the centre forward's best shooting attempt. Five minutes before the interval Newberry scored for Exeter.

SECOND HALF.
A centre from Geddes fell on top of the net, then Bailey saved well from Simpson. The Grecians then progressed to the other end with a series of rapid passes, but their shooting was off-target. Matthews bewildered the opposition with some clever and fast moves, and Blackmore thrilled the crowd with a powerful drive from twenty yards, the ball travelling just over the bar. Fifteen minutes before the finish Lievesley scored for Exeter, and Blackmore hit the crossbar a resounding smack. Pollard was injured and had to retire.
Exeter City 4 Bristol and Suburban League 0.

WESTERN LEAGUE:
BRISTOL CITY RES. v. EXETER CITY RES.

Bristol City Reserves, at Ashton Gate, were the first to get on the move, and Mays put the ball over the bar from close in. Davis then cleared from Casson. Kirk gave Exeter the lead with a great shot, but two minutes later Taylor equalised. Exeter went ahead after half an hour, the goal being scored by Casson, but Mays equalised and Taylor put Bristol in front. Half-time Bristol Reserves 4 Exeter Reserves 2. Exeter were the first to be dangerous when the game restarted, but a well placed corner by Newman was spoiled through handball. For some time after this Bristol attacked strongly, but they were up against a stubborn defence, and Pavey was not troubled. Bristol, however, lasted the pace better, and in the closing stages scored four goals, through Taylor, Gilhespy, Mays, and Perry.

Final:
Bristol City Reserves 8
Exeter City Reserves 2.