Exeter City v Aberdare

Saturday, April 3rd 1926.

Aberdare Athletic journeyed to Exeter this morning to engage Exeter City in a Football League match, and the Grecians made one change om the team which played yesterday at Swindon, Shelton coming in at outside left to the exclusion of Myers. There were seven thousand spectators when Lievesley kicked off on a varm but dull afternoon.

Exeter City.
Bailey 
Lowton Charlton
Pullan Pollard Potter
Newman Kirk Lievesley Shelton Compton

Referee: Mr R.G.Rudd, of Croydon.

Taylor James Smith Martin Sheldon
Nicol Harwood Miller
Brophy Walsh
Brown
Aberdare Athletic.

The Grecians opened well, and Kirk's quickness of the mark gave the Aberdare defence some anxiety, and the first incident of note was a fine cross-drive by "Jazzo" which Brown fielded in great style. A header by Potter worried Walsh so much that the full back narrowly missed scoring for the Grecians, the ball flying from his boot just wide of the upright with Brown in no position to save. Following the corner, taken by Newman, Lievesley headed just wide of the other post. A couple of inaccurate passes were intercepted by the visitors, but Exeter kept up their endeavours, and Shelton swung the ball across strongly to Newman. The little right winger put plenty of strength behind his centre but kept the ball down nicely, so that Lievesley got his head to the leather and sent it flying at a fine pace into the Aberdare net, seven minutes after the start.

Needless to say, the scoring of the goal was very popular with the spectators, who had not seen the City win on their own ground since February 6th, and who took this goal as a good omen. Exeter kept up the pressure, but the finishing was only moderate, but just before the interval a big clearance by Lowton from the Exeter goal area saw Newman race away after a ball which went careering through the Aberdare territory. Newman retrieved it, crisply to Lievesley, who rushed in at high speed and headed home a second goal. In fact he was going so fast that he accompanied the ball into the net.

Half-time: City 2 Aberdare nil.

The Grecians in the second half set about their task of increasing their tally of goals further, if possible, and their swift attacks on Brown's charge kept the spectators highly enthusiastic. When the 'Darians got away Charlton was their great stumbling block. He covered Smith assiduously, and it was left to James to show his paces. After fifteen minutes Newman's centre dropped just in front of the Aberdare crossbar. Brown, Pollard, and Shelton all collided in the air as the ball came down, and the three men all collapsed in a heap as the leather ran into the net from the boot of Shelton for Exeter City's third goal. In the closing stages Taylor put across a good centre, and Bailey flicked the ball away from Martin's head. The leather went straight to Sheldon, who shot over the top of the open goal. Then Bailey had to save an excellent cross shot by Sheldon. Exeter raised the brief siege, and a scorching centre from Compton enabled Lievesley to beat Brown with another bumping header. Exeter were well on top when the long whistle sounded.
Exeter City 4 Aberdare Athletic 0.

It did the crowd good to see the Grecians on top again after so long an interval "in the shadows." There was not a lot of good football, most of the moves, on either side, being short and snappy, and the score at the end was inclined to rather flatter Exeter City. But the Lievesley leaders, "One! Two! Three!" were the deciding factors, and the crowd enjoyed them immensely. Jazzo Kirk, although not among the scorers, was one of the most serviceable of the City forwards, his thoughtful passing and extra quickness counting for a great deal. Whether in the first team or the Reserves, Kirk never fails to give of his best, and despite the fact that he has not always been treated kindly by the crowd Exeter City have never been served by a more whole-hearted player. In fact, were he not a footballer Kirk could probably earn his living on the stage as an entertainer, for he is an expert pianist and singer, he can tell jokes and recite poetry, and he has recently learned to play the ukelele and banjolele. Pollard adapted himself to the pivotal position excellently, and a feature of the game was his swinging passes to the wings, although at times he was inclined to lift the ball too high. He and Pullan stood out well in this game, and Charlton and Bailey were also in great fettle, even though the captain miskicked once or twice.

Western League 
Taunton v City Reserves 

The Reserves travelled to Taunton, where they defeated the local side by three goals to two in a Western League match. There was a good deal of erratic shooting and ragged play at the start. Casson missed an excellent chance of scoring for the City from a well placed corner, taken by Myers. Then Pearson got away on the left for Taunton, but his centre went begging, and the home side were mainly defending. Lowe fell full length to save from Myers, deflecting the ball behind, and when the United took up the running Graydon had a header fisted out by Pavey, who was not to be flurried. Exeter returned to the attack, and Wilcox being penalised for a foul outside the penalty area, Casson drove the ball into the net with a beautiful shot.
Half-time:
Taunton United 0 City Reserves 1.
Second Half.

On resuming Blackmore worked his way through and scored, the defence being well beaten. Taunton made spasmodic attacks, which failed to penetrate the City defence, and then from a breakaway Milsom netted the Reserves third goal. Taunton improved, and scored through Pearson and Hunt, the result in the end being:-
Taunton United 2 City Reserves 3.
The following players represented the Reserves:- Pavey; Hawkins, Flynn; Down, Crompton, Davis; Bolam, Milsom, Blackmore, Casson, and Myers.

• Billy Goodwin's Benefit Match at Southend.
  W.Goodwin, the popular and capable player who formerly led Exeter a City's attack with great distinction, has been granted a benefit match by the F.A. The game will be between Southend United, with which club Goodwin sustained a fractured leg two years ago, and Brentford, and it will take place on April 28th at the Kursaal. During the two seasons he was with Exeter, Goodwin was the top scorer with the club, and it is doubtful if the City have ever had a better centre-forward. Transferred in 1920 to Manchester United, he eventually found his way to Southend. His goal-scoring feats with the Essex club are of course fresh in everyone's memory and it was with great regret that Exonians heard that the injury he sustained against Brighton was means of bringing his career to a close.