CHARLTON ATHLETIC 0 EXETER CITY 0.

Saturday, October 29th 1927.

As leaders of the Third Division and the only undefeated club in all the four divisions of the League, Charlton Athletic are without question the surprise team of the year. In meeting Exeter City at the Valley this afternoon it was confidently expected that the London club would retain its proud position.

Charlton Athletic: McKenna; Smith and Herod; Paterson, Armitage, and Hird; McKinley, McGill, Sherlaw, Biswell, and Horton.
Exeter City: Holland; Pollard and Miller; Phoenix, Pool, and Gee; Purcell, McDevitt, Dent, Vaughan, and Compton.

Referee: Mr A.S.King, of Swindon.

There were ten thousand spectators present when play commenced. McDevitt won the toss and Exeter had the advantage of sun and wind. Charlton's luck still stuck to them and they were fortunate to get one point. The game was quite good and the football keen and fast. All round Exeter City were the better side, but were opposed to a superb defence. Charlton Athletic, though still unbeaten, have yet to obtain a satisfactory forward line, and failure to win this match lost them the leadership of the League, Northampton taking the new honour.

Smith played a fine game at right back against the dashing Exeter attack, and he had a fine understanding with Herod. But Pollard and Miller were almost as good as the Charlton backs, and this is a big compliment indeed.

WESTERN LEAGUE 
EXETER CITY RESERVES 3
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE RESERVES 0.

It was a source of disappointment to the 3,000 spectators at St. James's Park this afternoon that Plymouth Argyle Reserves, opposing Exeter City Reserves in a Western League match, were without Jack Cock, the English International, who has lately been leading the Pilgrims Reserves attack. Bowden, the Cornishman from Looe, took over the centre forward position, and Davis, the former Exeter City centre-forward, crossed over to inside-right to make room in the other inside berth for Voden. The City Reserves were unchanged.

City Reserves:- Wainwright; Lowton, Charlton; Ditchburn, Mason, Warren; Parkin, McDade, Chambers, Lievesley, and Kirk.

Argyle Reserves:- Lee; Pullen, Price; Fellowes, Deacon, Smith; Grozier, Davis, Bowden, Voden, and Edmonds.

Referee:- Mr A.F.Davis, of Bristol.

At the last minute it was decided not to play Jenkins, as he was unfit, and Parkin was brought in at outside-right. Selley was also omitted, Lievesley moving to inside-left and Chambers leading the attack. Exeter came very near to scoring on three occasions early in the game, Price saving his side in two instances when McDade had beaten Lee, whilst another time Chambers would have had a clear run through if Kirk had not passed too far forward. The spectators greatly appreciated these incidents, and they gave Lievesley a hearty round of applause for a flashing shot which missed the upright by only a few inches. Kirk and McDade had a big share in the bright opening play of the Grecians, and Lee's task was exceedingly difficult in these stages. Deacon and his full-backs were the main strength of the Argyle, deserving full credit for their capable defence.

Poor Finishing.

Davis, with a smart pass to Grozier, set the Argyle on the attack, but it was easily beaten off. Wainwright saved from Grozier, and Lowton headed out another shot by the right-winger. Kirk was very successful in his tussles with the dashing and determined Pullen, but the City left-winger twice finished badly, and with McDade fading away from his brilliant opening the City attack ceased to impress for a time. Voden sent Edmonds away neatly, but the ball was kicked direct to the front of the goal, where Wainwright gathered easily. Exeter were having the better of the game, but could not register the fact on the score-sheet. Price fouled Parkin just outside the penalty area,
and Lowton drove fiercely just outside the Argyle goal. At the other end Pullen attempted a similar shot from a free-kick, Wainwright tipping the ball over the bar. Charlton just failed to score from another free kick at the Argyle end, Parkin however capturing the ball and netting with a grand shot.

Second Half.

Davis and Bowden exchanged positions in the Argyle team for the second half. The City were very aggressive, and in four minutes increased their lead, a centre from Parkin being headed in by Chambers. The popularity of the centre forward was illustrated by the fact that practically every player in the home side hastened to congratulate him on his success. Lievesley fired over the corner of the goal and Parkin went through at speed, but mislaid his final pass. At the other end a great shot by Bowden was kicked out by Charlton. The game was fast, clever, and very entertaining, with Mason conspicuously successful at centre-half for the City.
Lievesley was injured, and a halt was called for him to be attended to. Hardly had he recovered when he scored a beautiful goal, the swift long shot beating Lee all the way.

Exeter Dominating the Game.

Exeter were now dominating the game, and the forwards had sundry opportunities of increasing the score. But for ill-luck with their shooting they might have added several goals.
Charlton and Lowton were also in very businesslike mood, and kept the ball well down the field. In the last minute Edmonds broke away suddenly, ending a swift advance with a storming shot, which Wainwright punched out.